All set for JISA National Prep Champs

The 2026 GraceKennedy (GK) General Insurance and Mutual Funds JISA National Preparatory Schools Track and Field championship, set to take place at the National Stadium from June 11-13, was launched at Sts Peter and Paul Prep yesterday.

  More than 1,500 athletes from 45 schools are set to converge on the National Stadium for the three days. Jamaica Independent Schools Association (JISA) president, Tamara McKenzie, in her address, said many schools are struggling to raise support and their appreciation to the sponsors cannot be overstated.

"We look at this as a track meet but mobilisation, accommodation, food for three days, transportation, gear, training, and investment are all big expenses.

"When schools step out and do this, it's a show of confidence and it also demonstrates the engagement of the parents as well because you must have parents sticking to the routines and training schedules and all of that," she explained.

"We have over 1,500 athletes this year and we have the most schools we have had since the pandemic (45) and we are seeing record support from corporate Jamaica.

"When we look at the support in terms of kind sponsorship and cash sponsorship, it is a testament to how much we invest and value  student development in all areas and how seriously we are taking the student athletes of our future."

This is GraceKennedy's third year sponsoring the event that's $4 million a year, and Client and Partner Service Manager Orette Duncan said it is an opportunity to give back.

   "... And (to) say thanks as we continue to look towards the future development of our schools.

"It has been a good sponsorship partnership for us. We feel strongly about giving back to our communities and this is a part of it. This initiative is more with our students and we believe it is significant because the children are our future," he commented.

He added that they will have a promotion where schools download the GK1 app and sign up to earn points and the school with the most points will win $500,000 for their athletics programme for next year.

"It is a competition within the competition to promote our brand but also significantly ensuring that the schools benefit with some amount of assistance to their athletics programmes."

JISA chairman Wayne Robinson also pointed to the importance of the many sponsors who continue to support the event.

"This is a $16 million meet. Best Dressed and Little Caesar have been here for a while. GK and their companies, Covenant (Insurance) who does the insurance, Shalk doing the security. The medical team of SureTime, plus the Jamaica Constabulary Force will come on board to help maintain the quality and security of the event.

"We will have 1,5000 students in the stadium and may be another 400 chaperones. So far we have covered about half of it ($16m). We expect entry fees and gate receipts to cover the other parts of it," Robinson said.

Meanwhile, Jerome Kirby, coach of defending champions Sts Peter and Paul, is confident of a three-peat, but anticipates a tougher challenge this year.

"After the meet concluded (last year), we realised it was quite easy. Don't think it will be as easy this year because the matchups look interesting.

"There are good competitors out there but we are confident with the team we have prepared for this championship 

"St Andrew Prep are definitely in the picture. So we look forward to an exciting matchup with them. All the other schools have superb talent but I think we have greater advantages in the numbers and with the quality we have. So one has to be confident if you are in my position," he stated.