TOP CARIBBEAN sprinters Kirani James (Grenada) and Kim Collins (St Kitts/Nevis) will be the feature overseas attractions at this weekend’s Sagicor/NGC (National Gas Company)-sponsored NAAA (National Association of Athletics Administrations of Trinidad and Tobago) Open Track and Field Championships.
The Championships will be held at its usual location, the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, on Saturday and Sunday, from 3 pm each day.
The launch took place yesterday at the Stadium’s VIP Lounge and Allan Baboolal, chairman of the Games Committee, stated that James “is listed for the relays. That’s what we’re seeing on the entries.” Asked about Collins, Baboolal added, “the relays. But, there have a few people who are running the individual events, from St Kitts and Nevis.”
The 19-year-old James is the current World champion in the 400-metre distance and will be part of a Grenada contingent for the men 4x400-metre relay while the 36-year-old Collins, the 2003 World 100m winner and 2011 World bronze medallist, will feature in a St Kitts/Nevis 4x100m relay team. The relay teams will be seeking to register qualifying times for next month’s Olympic Games in London, England.
Baboolal added that the leading TT athletes are expected to return home by Thursday in order to prepare for the event, which will be the final opportunity for a number of the competitors to book places in the TT Olympic Games squad.
“Our top athletes (at the NAAA Championships) are Richard Thompson, Keston Bledman, Lalonde Gordon, Renny Quow, Jarron Solomon, Josanne Lucas, Kelly Ann Baptiste, Kai Selvon, Semoy Hackett, Michelle Lee Ahye,” Baboolal added.
“Basically it’s the last (chance) because early in July they’ll be leaving for the pre-Olympic camp in Cardiff, Wales,” he continued. “The close of the entries is July 8 and the (TT) team will be selected on (Monday).”
Asked if some of TT’s top junior performers, like javelin ace Keshorn Walcott, will be competing this weekend, Baboolal replied, “there is also a clause in the rules to allow CARIFTA athletes to compete at the Championships. And they will be here.” Baboolal noted that the fans will only have to dish out $50, any of the days, to see the array of athletic talent on show.
Michelle Serville, Sagicor’s assistant manager, Marketing and Business Development, mentioned, “what we are doing is congratulating NGC for joining us, in the joint sponsorship of the Games. Basically, we’re welcoming them on board and wishing the athletes all the best.” Sagicor invested $200,000 towards the meet and Serville emphasised, "we’re here for the long- haul"
-Joel Bailey
Source: www.newsday.co.tt
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