Foreign flavour for UWI Gatorade Invitational

Several overseas athletes are down to compete at this weekend's Gatorade-sponsored University of the West Indies (UWI) Invitational track and field meet at the National Stadium.

The line-up includes a team of High Performance Training Centre athletes from Costa Rica, athletes from the Netherland Antilles, Cayman Islands and The Bahamas, collegiate teams and top high school athletes from Holmwood Technical, Edwin Allen, Vere Technical, Kingston College, Calabar High, Jamaica College and St Jago High.

More than 2,000 athletes from 90 teams are expected to take part in more than 12 events - 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, high jump, triple jump, long jump, discus, shot put, 4x400m and hurdles.

Meet director and chairperson of the organising committee, Grace Jackson, noted the importance of the meet.

Preparation

"It is among the few meets which provide an early opportunity and preparation for senior athletes, while allowing junior athletes an occasion to showcase their skill," she said.

Four individuals will be honoured at this year's meet, including World and Olympic 400m silver medallist Shericka Williams, who will be recognised for her noteworthy contribution to Jamaica as an elite athlete who is locally bred.

Dr Thelora Reynolds, director, student services and development at UWI, Pat Lue-Chin, physio-therapist, and Ricky McIntosh are the others honourees.

- A.F.