AndersonAnthony Foster, Freelance Writer
THE SHIFT of this year's Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Junior Track and Field Champion-ships has not been welcomed by the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA).
President of the JAAA, Pat Anderson, explained to The Sunday Gleaner yesterday the difficulties the organisation now faces after the venue was shifted to Mexico from original hosts El Salvador.
"To get to Mexico you have to go through the States (US), which requires visas," Anderson said.
"Everything is costing us more. I am a little bit confused with what is happening and why the venue has changed," he said.
CAC president Victor Lopez announced this week that the 2004 Championships between June 25-27 will be shifted to Mexico. Initially scheduled for El Salvador, the meet will now be held in Coatzacoalcos, Ver Cruz, Mexico.
"This means we might have to send less people because of visas (cost) and all that kind of thing," Anderson said.
Jamaica are down to take part in at least three junior championships this year, among them are the Carifta Games and World Junior. It is going to cost the JAAA almost US$800 per person to fly to Bermuda for the Carifta Games, Anderson said.
At the last CAC Junior Championship in Barbados in 2002, Jamaica dominated with 59 medals - 27 gold, 13 silver and 19 bronze.
Mexico finished next with 12 gold, 14 silver and seven bronze medals, followed by Cuba (9-3-0) and Trinidad and Tobago (5-6-2).
