Campbell VERE Technical schoolgirl Veronica Campbell, the world's fastest female junior sprinter, will be honoured as "ambassador" of the Jamaica Teachers Association National Primary, All-Age and Junior High Schools' Athletic Championships at the National Stadium on May 18.
The one-day meet, scheduled for a 9:00 o'clock start, is again sponsored by Blue Cross of Jamaica. Close to 1000 athletes will vie for supremacy.
Champion schoolgirl sprinter Campbell, who mined silver as part of Jamaica's 4x100 quartet at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, rose through junior ranks such as the annual meet, which will benefit from a Blue Cross sponsorship package of $1.5 million.
Detailing his company's sponsorship during a press conference at Blue Cross' Hope Road headquarters yesterday morning, Dr. Henry Lowe, president and chief executive officer of Blue Cross of Jamaica, said the meet has been of particular significance in the development of athletes from primary and all-age schools, and recently, junior highs.
"Almost 75 per cent of the athletes now participating at the national and international arena have been nurtured by these championships," he said.
Dr. Lowe noted that the meet, which his company has sponsored since 1988, "is a project very dear to my heart. As a father, I cannot over-emphasise the importance of giving our children every chance to maximise their potential".
The organisers will emphasise on field events this year and have introduced the shot put (open), as one of two new events.
Cricket ball throw, for Under-8 athletes, is the other new event. Under-8s will also compete in the 60-metre sprint, 150m and 4x100m. Other competing atheletes are Under-15s, 14, 12 and 10.
Girls' action start at 10:40 a.m. whereas boys get off the mark at 1:45 p.m.
