Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

President of the Central American and Caribbean Athletics Confederation (CACAC), Victor Lopez, has lauded the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) for its fantastic development programme.

Lopez's comments came after Jamaica's impressive performance at the 11th IAAF World Junior Championships, held last month in Beijing, China.

In a letter to JAAA president Howard Aris, Lopez said: "On behalf of the CACAC and the CAC Athletics family I would like to congratulate you and the Jamaica athletics family for the fantastic results obtained by the Jamaican junior athletes at the World Junior Championships.

"It was a show of the development, the pride and the athletics tradition of a great nation," said Lopez.

Sixth place

Jamaica ended the six-day Championships at the Chaoyang Sport Centre in the Chinese capital of Beijing in sixth position.

The 28-member team secured two gold, one silver and six bronze medals, to finish behind Kenya (6G, 6S, 3B), China (5G, 5S, 7B), United States (4G, 5S, 2B), Russia (4G, 3S, 3B), and Estonia (4G).

National 400m hurdlers junior record holder Kaliese Spencer and the men's 4x100m team accounted for the gold medals while Sonita Sutherland won the team's only silver.

Sherene Pinnock, Yohan Blake, Carrie Russell, the women's 4x400m and sprint relay teams pocketed bronze.

"Jamaica keeps leading the region and I just hope that all our countries emulate the fantastic development programme and system that the JAAA has in place.

"Those of us who were present there felt very proud of being part of the CAC region, therefore, my admiration and respect on behalf of the CACAC.

Sincere appreciation

"I take this opportunity to extend my most sincere appreciation to the JAAA for your continuos support for our organisation," said Lopez, who was present in Beijing for the five-day championships.

Meanwhile, at last Wednesday's Foska/Jamdammers Road Race Grand Prix Series press conference, Aris said, the programme would do far better with more corporate support.

Aris said that in addition to the accomplishments of the juniors, "outstanding performers such as Asafa Powell, Sherone Simpson, Brigitte Foster-Hylton and Veronica Campbell ... just to name a few ... have continued Jamaica's out-standing athletics tradition and shown what we can accomplish with limited resources."

"Imagine what we could achieve if we had an athletics programme that was adequately funded.

"We must do more to nurture and encourage those who show promise ... and create opportunities for our young people to develop their God-given potential," Aris said.

Aris, who is in his second year as president, believes a "sound programme for athletics development, creates opportunities for countless students in areas such as education."