Ray Harvey, meet director of the Milo Western Relays, accepts a cheque for $700,000 from Kenneth Dodd, a top exceutive of Milo, for the staging of the 29th championships which will take place at the Catherine Hall Stadium on Saturday, February 10. The presentation took place at a press conference in Montego Bay, yesterday. - Photo by Adrian Frater
Adrian Frater, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE 29TH Milo Western Relays, which will be held at the unfinished Catherine Hall Stadium in Montego Bay, has attracted a record $700,000 sponsorship tag and will have world 100m recorder holder Asafa Powell and new sprint queen Sherone Simpson as the major attractions.
Speaking at the launch of the relays in Montego Bay yesterday, meet director Ray Harvey said he was optimistic that this year's event, the 13th since Milo took over as title sponsor and the fourth at the Catherine Hall venue, will be the best ever.
"We are confident this year will be best ever because this year is World Championship year and all the major athletes will be aiming to be at their best," said Harvey. "In addition, we have the added component of the temporary seats at the facility, which should go a long way in improving athlete and spectator comfort."
Milo executive Kenneth Dodd, whose company's sponsorship has been increased by more than 100 per cent over the past five years, issued a charge to the organisers, saying his company was willing and ready to back an expansion of the event from one to possibly four days.
"We believe the event is now sufficiently established so that it can move from one to four days," said Dodd. "In fact, we are issuing a charge to the organisers to move in that direction. Milo is willing and ready to support such a move."
In addition to the presence of Powell (Asafa) and Simpson (Sherone), top-flight stars such as Linden Frater and Brigitte Foster-Hylton will also be on show at the event which will see new events in the male and female high jump.
"This year we will also have the top high schools as defending boys champions Kingston College and the reigning female champions, Holmwood, have confirmed," said Harvey. "In addition, we will have perennial contenders such as Wolmer's, St. Jago, Cornwall College and Herbert Morrison."
