Source: www.newsday.co.tt

Allan Baboolal, secretary, National Association of Athletics Administration (NAAA) has said “it is a possibility” that no National Championships could not be held this year.

Speaking to Newsday yesterday, Baboolal said he was very disappointed that the NAAAs were forced to postpone the event after the German contractor Porplastics revealed the track would not be ready in time for the June 25 opening.

Baboolal revealed the NAAA received an email on Friday night stating that the earliest the track would be ready is by July 2. He noted that because of the packed international calendar the Championships if held next month would be without a number of the country’s recognised stars.

“We will not have the benefit of our top athletes. Our top sprinter right now Keston Bledman will be leaving a disappointed man on Tuesday to go to Europe. (National female 100m champion) Kelly- Ann Baptiste has already asked for an exemption.

She has the Diamond League meetings in July and it understandable that they have their contractual arrangements,” he said, “It is a possibility (that there could be no Championships this year). That is my view not that of the NAAAs. I can’t see it happening next month. We have to send a team to the CAC (Age Group and Senior Championships) and the Pan Am Junior Championship (July 22-24). I will be there with the team,” he said.

Baboolal explained the ramifications of postponing the Championships are being felt throughout the world.

“This was to be one of the bigger years for us. The IAAF gave us permit for relay qualifiers for the World Games and Olympics to be held here. The response was overwhelming...the Sport Company sent out a media release and people started calling like wildfire wanting to find out if it was true,” he said.

He said the meet could not be held at the Ato Boldon Stadium because the track was not certified therefore the relay teams would not be achieving what they came to do.

He explained a lot of money has been spent by his organisation already on tickets and advertising and that has now gone down the drain.