'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.
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.
"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 island's lone female jockey, Georgina Sergeon, made her long-awaited return to the saddle at Caymanas Park on Saturday, February 1 after she was seriously injured in a riding spill just over two years ago. The 23-year-old Sergeon secured two rides on the 10-race programme: GOOD LIFE, who finished third at odds of 11-1 in the second race over 1100 metres for maiden three-year-olds; and the rank outsider, QUIET RULER, who finished down the track in the eighth race over 1200 metres. On Saturday, January 21, 2012, Sergeon fell from her mount, TRICKY TRAIN, after the filly clipped the heels of another horse in a crowded field at the home turn. She came out of the spill with serious injury and had to be hospitalised. Having injured her spine and lower back, Sergeon had to undergo surgery, followed by a long period of rehabilitation.
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.
"I decided to change citizenship and jump for Jamaica, as I just felt like I needed a change," [Nicholas Thomas] explained. "I am in good shape but the weather messed me up - the rain and the wind. So it set the standards down a little bit." Thomas said after the event. "But it was good competition and I enjoyed it and, hopefully, I can go further in the next couple of weeks." "I am yet to burst on the senior level properly, but I have had a lot of injuries ... over the last four or five years." Thomas explained.
The Young Reggae Boyz have been drawn in Group B alongside football superpowers Argentina and France along with the formidable Japan. Group F: 1. Australia, 2. C(TM)te d'Ivoire, 3. Brazil, 4. Denmark.
