Photo: JAAA First Vice-President Mr. Dave Myrie, JAAA Treasurer Mr. Ludlow Watts, Minister of Sports, Culture, Gender and Entertainment, Ms. Olivia Grange, Mr Brian George President Supreme Ventures Ltd., JAAA Second Vice – President Ian Forbes pose for pictures at the cheque handover by sponsors Supreme Ventures at the launch of the Supreme Ventures National Senior Trials at the Spanish Court Hotel on Tuesday.
“Protect your athletes, protect the good name and welfare of your athletes. Keep their interest at heart”
That was central point in the message from Minister of Sports, Culture, Gender and Entertainment, Olivia Grange, to coaches as she addressed the gathering at the launch of the Jamaica Athletic Association (JAAA) Supreme Ventures National Senior and Junior Trials on Tuesday morning at the Spanish Court Hotel.
The Minister also told the media that her ministry is aware and have taken note of the recent happenings surrounding the implication of a Jamaican athlete among the 31 samples that returned positive test results from the Beijing 2008 retesting done by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
“I have taken note of the statement issued by the Jamaica Olympic Association in relation of receipt of notification by the IOC that a Jamaican athlete has returned and I quote, – an adverse analytic result from the retesting program of samples from the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.”
She further emphasized that her the government is committed to doing what they can to ensure that support is granted where needed in this matter.
“As the Minister of Sports I wish to assure the nation that I will be closely monitoring the situation, as it unfolds over coming weeks. As you may know this is not a matter in which government or its agencies have any direct involvement. It is understandable that there may be some level of anxiety and concern among some persons in particular as we look forward for the 2016 Olympics.”
She continued “I share those concerns. This is not a matter where we can be cavalier with the rules. It’s in everyone’s best interest that due process evolve as it should.”
The Senior Trials to select the nation’s contingent to the Olympics and NACAC U 23 Championship for 2016, will be held on June 30 to July 3 inside the National Stadium.
This will be preceded by the Junior Trials which will be held on the 18 and the 19 of June to select participants to the World Under 20 Championships. According to event chairman and head of the organizing committee, Ludlow Watts, over 500 juniors are expected to be vying for a chance to represent the country.
The meet is being supported by main sponsor Supreme Ventures Limited who is in their thirteenth year of union with the meet and this year will be offering a $16 million dollar financial package to offset the cost of the event.
The government will also undertake the cost of the using the stadium and as such the JAAA is expected to incur a total cost of $23 million for the staging of both championships.
All the athletes with the hope of national representation will be expected to participate the championship. The JAAA President, Dr. Warren Blake in his recorded address revealed that only athletes with top three world ranking in the events will be considered for medical exemption once it is approved by the JAAA medical team.
Blake also revealed that two overseas countries, Haiti and Turks and Caicos have expressed interest in being part of the 2016 Jamaican Championship, which will be aired via Television Jamaica (TVJ) and its associated media outlets. Flow Jamaica has once again been charged as the Mobile telecommunication partners for 2016.
The cost of for both days of the junior trials will be $500, with seating available only in the grandstand.
For the senior trials the cost varies across all four days and for different areas in the Stadium.
The season tickets will be going for a cost of $6000
Thursday – $500 general seating
Friday Grand A- $3000 and Grandstand B – $2500
Grandstand A for Saturday and Sunday – $2000 and Grandstand B- $1500
Bleachers ticket cost is $500 across all four days.
There is a special Bleachers season ticket for a cost of $1000 dollars
The locations for purchasing tickets will be at the National Stadium, York pharmacy, Pegasus Hotel and Supreme Ventures office on Barbados Avenue.
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