Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
President and CEO of Supreme Ventures, Brian George (left), hands over his company's sponsorship cheque to Ludlow Watts, treasurer of Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA), at yesterday's press conference to announce details of the 2005 National Championships. Looking on from second left are JAAA president Howard Aris and committee member Gregory Hamilton. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
SUPREME VENTURES has increased its sponsorship of this month's National Senior and Junior Athletics Championships.
The lottery company has increased its sponsorship by $300,000 to $1.8 million for the three-day championships which start on June 24.
In addition, the president and CEO of Supreme Ventures, Brian George, said his company would also help the Jamaica team travel to Helsinki for the World Athletics Championships in August. George said his company's decision to return as title sponsors was an easy one.
"It's about youth development," George said at a press conference yesterday at the Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston. "We are here because we want to help produce the next Veronica (Campbell), Danny (McFarlane), and so on," while making it clear that his company gave more than $500 million to the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund annually.
UPHOLDING TRADITION
In thanking Supreme Ventures, president of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA), Howard Aris, said: "We at the JAAA are happy to be associated with Supreme Ventures."
Aris also said that this year was a special one in Jamaica athletics. He said apart from the fact that track and field has a special place in every Jamaican's heart, "we feel we have a tradition to uphold."
This, he said, was in memory of the 1952 Helsinki Olympics where George Rhoden won gold in the 400m and at the inaugural World Championships in 1983 when Bertland Cameron won the same event. Jamaica, with the quartet of Rhoden, Arthur Wint, Herb McKenley and Les Laing, won the Olympic 4x400m gold in 1952.
In announcing details of the meet at yesterday's press briefing, chairman of the organising committee, Ludlow Watts, said a more top-line art equipment would be in place for this year's championships.
He said there would be a state-of-the-art timing system, which would not only have speakers but would assist the starters in detecting false starts.
This system will also give a print-out of the reaction time, which can also be displayed graphically. As usual, there will also be photo-finish cameras, a primary and a back-up, which can record up to one thousandth of a second and also improved scoreboard technology which will show replays of races and field events.
Watts said: "What we have is Grand Prix quality equipment and the personnel to manage it."
Admission to enter the National Stadium grandstand is as follows: $400 (Friday), $500 (Saturday) and $600 (Sunday).
