'The plan is to run the Stawell Gift meet, it's something that we have been trying to get done for years," said [Paul Doyle] during a telephone interview Thursday. "It's a pretty awesome meet ... Asafa is excited to get over there and compete. "I've been ready to come down a couple of times over the past few years but I'm happy to say that this year will be the year," [Asafa Powell] said. "This year being the World Championships, there will be a lot of focus on that, it's not as if the competition in Jamaica has got any easier, but then again, he is well, he is more mature and focused in what he is doing," Doyle continued.
"The coaches have assured me that all our elite athletes are in great shape, fit and ready to perform," MVP's president, Bruce James, disclosed while speaking at the press conference to launch the meet last week at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston. "However, the meet is on April 16 and the athletes will only come out to perform if they are fit and healthy to do so," ne hastened to add. "The challenge is that last year at the [UTech] classic she was not feeling well, but decided to take a chance and in so doing she ran and hurt herself badly and was unable to run for the rest of 2010," James explained, while pointing out that the MVP athletes are not all likely to participate in their customary events.
"The thing that stands out most, because it is something that people have been asking for, is the opportunity to see the top MVP - remembering that MVP has Asafa [Asafa Powell], Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, among others, versus the top Racers track club team, remembering they have Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake," [Paul Francis] disclosed. MVP fastmen Powell, Carter and Frater are already confirmed for their 4x100m team, and comeet organiser and MVP president, Bruce James, is anticipating Racers team comprising of and Olympic champion Bolt World champion Blake.
Olympic 400m champion Sanya Richards-Ross presents cheque worth US$10,000 (J$900,000) to her alma mater on Wednesday, October 17. "I expect it to help in a big way. You hear of the parents who have very talented kids but sometimes just can't afford it, and it really breaks my heart because I am very thankful that my parents made the sacrifice to keep me in school. So if I can help the next Sanya Richards -Ross then it's all worth it," Richards-Ross noted.
The bowler was a key part of the the West Indies ICC World T20 Championship triumph 11 months ago, but found himself out of favour with the selectors after a patchy run of form. However, the player put in a sensational effort to help the Jamaica Tallawahs claim the Limacol Caribbean Premier League regional T20 tournament, and has carried that form into the regional A team's series against India. While quick to admit that the road back to top form is yet a work in progress, the bowling allrounder says he is confident and physically ready, should a recall be made.
An elegant player, Samuels stormed back into the selectors' favour after amassing 830 runs in the Regional FirstClass Championship, the most by any player. Samuels also had an impressive showing in the regional T20 Championships where he finished as the top run-getter. Despite receiving an earlier call-up to the West Indies for the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup, the batsman declined the invitation, declaring himself not yet ready to return to international cricket.
"For the games against Switzerland and France, we will have the best players from England," said [Schafer]. "Wes Morgan and [Adrian Mariappa] are good players from England that can help us for a good result," he said. "We will play against Barbados with the local players and players from the United States," said Schafer. "I think our football is not very good in Jamaica and this is clear, and you saw it with our matches against Trinidad. We have to work more, we need more fitness and more tactical training, but it can only happen when we have good pitches to play on," he said.
The Weekly Gleaner understands that Scotland-based winger Chris Humphrey has been called up by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) for their three-week camp in Brazil, ahead of this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States. "Even though I also qualify for Scotland, Jamaica was the first to pursue me and I am looking forward to linking up with the squad," Humphrey added, before pointing out that he is, however, focused on his upcoming clash with Celtic in the Scottish Cup final. Humphrey moved to Walsall at the age of five, and was at Walsall's Centre of Excellence, until later joining West Bromwich Albion.
"It's gonna be sticky on us," added national women's football coach [Vin Blaine], who said between 10 and 12 female players enroll at junior colleges each year. "It will have a definite impact." "Everyone wants to go to foreign," he said. "Some parents believe if the students go overseas they don't need to take care of them. It's full time these Jamaican athletes recognise how good opportunities are in Jamaica." "We need to find a way to ensure that they find a way to continue to do what they're good at," said [Neville Bell]. "Don't stop them."
Discus thrower Jason Morgan and 800m specialist Kenia Sinclair are left considering their options after being left out of Jamaica's 45-member team to the IAAF World Championships in Athletics.
