By Charmaine Austin, Staff Reporter
Gayle
CHAIRMAN of the Boys and Girls Championships organising committee Branford Gayle is predicting that the annual meet will be successfully staged at both G.C. Foster College and Sabina Park.
Gayle, a vice president of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) said yesterday that preparations are now well underway.
"The planning is back on track so I think we'll be alright. I have been able to go home and clear my head and things are looking really good. The entries are in, our computer people are ready to get started, we have site visits coming up to decide where to put what and so on.
"We'll be ready," the Manchester High School principal said.
This year's championship will be staged at Sabina Park (track events) and at G.C. Foster College of Physical Education (field events) and not at the traditional National Stadium venue which is currently being extensively renovated for the staging of the Coca Cola World Junior Championships in July.
The track and field classic was in danger of not being staged this year due to concerns over a suitable venue but the organisers chose alternate venues rather than not having it at all.
Speaking to the critical areas of travel and accommodation, Gayle said he and his committee were "looking into possibilities" but arrangements have not yet been finalised.
"We have approached G.C. Foster College regarding the use of their facilities for accommodation but we haven't tied up that loose end yet," he said.
Regarding travel arrangements he said: "Schools have traditionally been asked to make their own arrangements for travel but we are asking them to travel out for two or more days so we have taken it onto ourselves to ensure that the schools that don't have a school bus are provided for especially those from the western end of the island.
"We are looking at the possibility of shuttling these athletes that will be moving into Kingston. Transportation companies have been contacted but nothing has been worked out yet but we have it in mind and at an additional cost to ourselves. That can't be too big for us," Gayle said.
"We're looking into every possibility. Once there is a will there will be a way and as things stand right now, champs is on," he added.
