Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association President Clement Radcliffe (right) speaks with Douglas Orane (left), chairman and chief executive officer at GraceKennedy Limited, the new title sponsors of Boys & Girls Champs, at a press conference at GraceKennedy's Harbour Street office, yesterday. Looking on is chairman of the organising committee, David Myrie. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

The Inter-Secondary School Sports Association (ISSA) will for the first time pocket the entire gate receipts from Champs - the annual National High School Athletics Championships, which is set to run from March 28-31.

"Yes, all the collected sponsorships including title sponsor, associated sponsors, and race sponsors, all those will combine to ensure the running of Champs," Clement Radcliffe, president of ISSA, told The Gleaner after GraceKennedy yesterday announced it's sponsorship of the biggest yearly event on Jamaica's sporting calander.

Big sponsorship

"The value of the Grace-Kennedy sponsorship for the year 2007 is $14m," disclosed Douglas Orane, chairman and chief executive officer at GraceKennedy Limited.

The total sponsorship of GraceKennedy, who took over from long-time sponsors VMBS, is $42 million over three years.

Radcliffe, who said "we welcome the GraceKennedy family and long may this marriage last", expressed delight at the food giants' contribution to the stellar junior track and field event.

"We are gratified, elated and happy, because this sponsorship has come with financial security for ISSA, so we are satisfied," he said.

"The title sponsor combined with the associate sponsors will cover the cost of the operation. We have no doubt about that," said Radcliffe.

The ISSA president, who is also principal at Glenmuir High, said their aim was always to be able to finance Champs before we go to the Stadium.

"So even before we go to the Stadium we are able to finance Champs this year," he boasted.

Last year it cost over $13m to run Champs, but with the change in cost of living Radcliffe said it's too early to say how much it will cost this year.

"It's very difficult to say because we don't know how much the cost of Stadium is, security and food. We know it will be beyond that, maybe going towards $18-20 million," he said, while making it clear that the sponsors have everything covered.

Orane said his company, which also sponsors all the schoolboy cricket competitions, is pleased to be associated with ISSA once again.

"We were delighted when they approached us and asked us to be the new sponsor," Orane said.

"GraceKennedy is always looking at ways to give back to Jamaica, particularly to our young people.

"Champs provides us with the ideal conduit to do so and this is a way also where we can work with a group of people in ISSA who are very professional and orderly in the way they organise their events," he said while speaking highly of its track and field officials.

Five-day Champs

ISSA, which in the past blamed lack of funds for cutting Champs by a day to four days, said they would be reviewing that area soon. Radcliffe, how-ever, made it clear that it will not happen this year, adding he didn't support a five-day Champs.

Orane also made it clear that although GraceKennedy will be the lead brand, other companies in the group such as Rapid True Value, First Global, JIIC, Tropical Rhythm, Springtime, Bill Express, and GKRS/ Western Union will be involved.

Meanwhile, chairman of the organising committee, Wolmer's principal David Myrie, says they will be announcing a few other sponsors within weeks. Cable & Wireless, through its Netspeak brand and Puma, were two associated sponsors last year.

Feedback: anthony.foster@gleanerjm.com.