Source: www.newsday.co.tt
Athletes from at least four Caribbean countries have already confirmed their participation for the National Senior Track and Field Championships schedule to take off at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo from June 25-26.
Allan Baboolal, secretary, National Association of Athletics Administration made the revelation on Wednesday at the launch of the Championships and revealed this country’s relay athletes will be getting competition this year from their counterparts from St Kitts Nevis, St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda and Puerto Rico. Brazil and Japan are yet to confirm their participation.
The NAAA has also invited several Kenyans and Venezuelans for the long distance events to spice up the competition and give the local athletes greater competition.
“This year the International Association of Athletic Associations (IAAF) has granted permission for us to use our Championship as relay qualifier to allow teams seeking to make the trip to Korea (for the World Championship). The visiting teams will provide their own airfare but the NAAA will cover the accommodation for them,” he said.
“The NAAA executive decided to bring in five Kenyan runners based in the US and two Venezuelans to run against Denzil Ramirez in the men’s 5000m. Denzil recently ran the event under 15 minutes. We also will bring some hurdlers who are running 50 to 51 seconds for Jehue Gordon. Also Ayanna Alexander has no competition in her event, the women’s triple jump. For the women’s 800m we have indicated to Melissa De leon that if she can identify competitors we will meet the cost of airfare and accommodation,” he added.
The Ministry of Sports and Sagicor Life Incorporated have given the Championships a financial boost with contributions of $400,000 and $150,00 respectively.
The NAAA has made it clear that all local athletes must compete at the Championship to be eligible for selection.
Minister of Sport Anil Roberts supported the policy and believes the best athletes must be on show at the National Championships.
“All the best athletes must come home and run. (Funding) is not a right. It is about pride and love of country and performance. So when athletes feel they deserve funding that is not how it happens,” he said.
He warned that he will be on the lookout for athletes who try to skip the event by unprofessional means and noted they will have a price to pay.
“To those athletes who try to pretend and feign injury to not run at the Championships, you have a Sport Minister who is also a coach so it will not be easy. You must come and compete or else you will be penalised,” he declared.