By Anthony Foster, Gleaner WriterCHARGING THEY were being treated with little or no respect by the organisers, coaches pulled the plug on an early start to yesterday's third and penultimate day of the 2004 VMBS Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships.
"I prefer at this time to resolve the issue to ensure that things move ahead quickly from here on," Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) president Clement Radcliffe told journalists.
His statements came after a meeting between the coaches and the organisers, ISSA. The meet started 90 minutes past the scheduled 8:30 a.m. start.
"There were difficulties this (yesterday) morning with the coaches," Radcliffe said. "The coaches have expressed concerns about some arrangements."
Among the problems outlined were parking, security and coaches' positions in the stadium. "These concerns have been addressed and we have resolved them amicably," the ISSA president said.
Lennox Graham, coach of defending boys champions Kingston College (KC), who along with Holmwood's boys coach Edward Hector and Ardenne's Fitz Coleman, went into the meeting with a nine-point plan.
After the meeting it was agreed that coaches with identification passes would be provided with parking. When asked about the safety of their vehicles, members of ISSA and Independence Park Limited told the coaches that adequate security would be provided.
It was also made clear, and agreed upon, that coaches would only be able to turn left when they entered the marathon tunnel from Stadium East. The coaches will be stationed at the bottom of the bleachers to see their athletes participate. As soon as the athletes complete their events, the coaches will have to leave.
"They said they will address it, and we believe they will," said Graham, when asked how satisfied he was after the meeting. "We are all here for the benefit of Jamaica's track and field. We are not trying to stop the meet, we are just trying to have a voice out there."
Radcliffe, however, said the protest was most unfortunate as ISSA had made significant efforts to meet with athletes and schools even up to a week ago.
Radcliffe denied that coaches spoke to them on the matter on Thursday. "That is not true," he stated.
According to Radcliffe, coaches and athletes insisted on remaining in the bleachers on Thursday but ISSA's contract with Independence Park Limited excluded use of the bleachers on the second day of the meet.
"This is the same arrangement from last year, so to come to the stadium yesterday and the day before and insist that you want to sit in the bleachers is unacceptable by the schools, the athletes and the coaches."
"Everyone knew that it is not for the season," he added.
As for igloos, the athletes will only be able to take small ones and squeeeze bottles will be allowed. The coaches also spoke about the rainy conditions but their request for tents on the field was denied.
