The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), in partnership with the Sports Development Foundation (SDF), will stage a new four-meet JAAA/SDF Jubilee Series beginning on February 19th at the National Stadium from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
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The series is designed to assist senior athletes as they prepare for the JAAA National Championships and other international competitions, including the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in July this year.
Each meet will feature fourteen individual events with four designated as premium. The selected premium events for the first meet are the 400 metres for men and women and the discus for men and women. At the end of the premium events, the top three finishers – providing they meet a set minimum standard – will earn a total of one hundred thousand dollars. Winners will receive $50,000.00, second-placers will pocket $30,000.00 while third-placed athletes will bank $20,000.00.
“It’s up to us to ensure that our athletes, especially those based locally, are given as much assistance as possible in their preparation,” explained JAAA President Garth Gayle. “We have limited resources but thanks to the SDF, who have decided to partner with us, we are able to offer some financial incentive.”
SDF General Manager Denzil Wilks added that his organization is happy to play its part. “Jamaica’s standing in this sport is second to none. This speaks volumes of the organization that runs the sport locally. The SDF has worked with the JAAA over the years and we have never been disappointed. We have always received value for money. This is just a continuation of that long-standing partnership,” he said.
Junior athletes will compete earlier in the day between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. No approval for spectators has been granted for the first meet, with only athletes, officials and medical personnel to be allowed entry. Only one meet will be staged in February, with the other three scheduled to take place between May and June.
Registration is now underway and closes on Wednesday, February 16 at 6 p.m. More details on the meets, including the registration procedure, can be found on the JAAA website at www.athleticsja.org
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