Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau:

The MVP Track Club, with its battery of top-flight international stars, is poised to be the star attraction when the much-anticipated 33rd renewal of the Milo Western Relays unfolds next Saturday at the new Catherine Hall Stadium, in Montego Bay.

Meet director Ray Harvey said that while entries are still coming in, he can confirm that MVP, UTECH, UWI, G.C. Foster, Kingston College, Wolmer's Boys, Holmwood Technical and Manchester High will be among the participating teams.

"We will be serving up a special treat and it is only for the fans to come in and enjoy what we are offering," said Harvey.

"I can promise that this is going to be a fantastic meet."

For fans in the west, this year's event will be a welcome home party for the one-day championship, which was staged at G.C. Foster last year and the previous year because the Catherine Hall facility, which was under construction, was not available.

While Milo has given a commitment that there will be an increase to last year's record $1.5 million sponsorship tag, if it falls significantly below last year's $300,000, Harvey could face a financial crunch as the rental cost for the Catherine Hall facility is a whopping $483,000.

top class track meet

"While it might not be easy, we are committed to giving western Jamaica a top class track meet," stated Harvey.

"We are therefore calling on the general public to come out and support this meet."

Despite the harsh economic climate, main sponsors Milo, which has been sponsoring the meet for the past 17 years, remains fully committed to putting its weight behind the event.

"We believe in supporting the development of our young people so we are fully committed to this partnership with the western relays," said Milo's sponsorship representative Suzanne Wilson-Wong. "We are also once happy to be supporting today's sports and life-style clinic, which will have Dr Michelle Holt as the presenter."

While the events will essentially remain the same as previous years, some of the events will be modified as in the case of the 800m, which was formerly run as single event for Club/Institutions and high schools but will be separated this year.

The Gleaner/Youth Link Awards, which has become an integral part of the championship in recent years, will see a significant change this year. Unlike former years when there were only two recipients, this year there will be three. The three selectees are world junior champion Dexter Lee, Youth Olympic 100m gold medallist Odean Skeen and Herbert Morrison High School's new track sensation, Seidatha Palmer.

Incidentally, coach Claude Grant, who has been instrumental in transforming Herbert Morrison into a track and field powerhouse, will be the patron of this year's meet.