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What's happening at the Montego Bay Sports Complex in Catherine Hall?
ON THE SPORTING EDGE
PAUL REID
Thursday, June 03, 2010
After more than a decade, the Montego Bay Sports Complex at Catherine Hall is to be officially opened on Saturday during the second staging of the Western Primary Schools track and field championships.
It is understood that government officials from both Jamaica and Venezuela who provided the loan facility as well as the contractors for the project will be in attendance.
It may be symbolic that a track meet for the Primary schools age group will be used to open the facility, which is expected to be critical in the development of the athletes, football players and others over the next few decades at least.
The facility, which boats a state-of-the-art football field and a world class Mondo track should be the crown jewel of sporting facilities in western Jamaica and it is hoped that its proper maintenance will be a priority.
Despite its slow rate of construction, set backs and missed deadline, the venue has not been totally unused as several track meets and football matches have been staged there over the years and it is the hope that it will continue to be used as such and for many more things.
But while we hope and pray that the facility will help to change the fortunes of our young sportsmen and women, there are still some troubling concerns relating to those in charge.
While the green light has been given for the staging of the Primary schools meet, there is still no word for the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) re the staging of an All-comers meet set for the very next day by the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA).
The deafening silence is most interesting as the fact that over 20 schools from all four parishes in western Jamaica can use the facility on Saturday raises questions about its availability to the dozens of elite athletes trying to make several national teams later this year who hope to compete this weekend as they step up their preparations.
The National Junior Trials to help pick two teams including the one that will go to the IAAF World Junior Championships in Canada next month is set for next weekend.
Two weeks later the National Senior Trials to help choose three national teams will be held and a number of western- based athletes and even several from other regions are depending on this meet to help them gauge their state of readiness.
It is full time the pettiness at the highest level of government beaurocracy ends and those who are supposed to be working on behalf of tax payers and the development of the nation start looking at the big picture.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/weste...therine-Hall_7
ON THE SPORTING EDGE
PAUL REID
Thursday, June 03, 2010
After more than a decade, the Montego Bay Sports Complex at Catherine Hall is to be officially opened on Saturday during the second staging of the Western Primary Schools track and field championships.
It is understood that government officials from both Jamaica and Venezuela who provided the loan facility as well as the contractors for the project will be in attendance.
It may be symbolic that a track meet for the Primary schools age group will be used to open the facility, which is expected to be critical in the development of the athletes, football players and others over the next few decades at least.
The facility, which boats a state-of-the-art football field and a world class Mondo track should be the crown jewel of sporting facilities in western Jamaica and it is hoped that its proper maintenance will be a priority.
Despite its slow rate of construction, set backs and missed deadline, the venue has not been totally unused as several track meets and football matches have been staged there over the years and it is the hope that it will continue to be used as such and for many more things.
But while we hope and pray that the facility will help to change the fortunes of our young sportsmen and women, there are still some troubling concerns relating to those in charge.
While the green light has been given for the staging of the Primary schools meet, there is still no word for the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) re the staging of an All-comers meet set for the very next day by the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA).
The deafening silence is most interesting as the fact that over 20 schools from all four parishes in western Jamaica can use the facility on Saturday raises questions about its availability to the dozens of elite athletes trying to make several national teams later this year who hope to compete this weekend as they step up their preparations.
The National Junior Trials to help pick two teams including the one that will go to the IAAF World Junior Championships in Canada next month is set for next weekend.
Two weeks later the National Senior Trials to help choose three national teams will be held and a number of western- based athletes and even several from other regions are depending on this meet to help them gauge their state of readiness.
It is full time the pettiness at the highest level of government beaurocracy ends and those who are supposed to be working on behalf of tax payers and the development of the nation start looking at the big picture.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/weste...therine-Hall_7
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