Workmen add the finishing touches to National Stadium track last year. - Ian Allen

The new man at the helm of the organising committee for the Gibson Relays, Rainford Wilks, believes it is full time a modern stadium be built to host local track and field events.

Wilks is of the view that the current sporting hub of the island, the National Stadium, is inferior to those of many other countries.

"We would like to see an improvement in the venue, but I think all Jamaicans would love to see a new National Stadium," Wilks said while speaking at the launch of the 36th Gibson Relays held yesterday at the Knutsford Court Hotel in St Andrew.

"There are some definite weaknesses in the stadium, as it was designed and built in 1962 and we need to get better with the time.

"There are several features that you will see at international meets; the coaches have access to the athletes and so on, which is just not possible at this venue, so on behalf of the Gibson Relays we are looking forward to seeing a modern stadium being built."

Wilks took over from Neville 'Teddy' McCook who decided to relinquish the post.

Athletes from at least eight overseas countries, 120 high schools and approximately 40 clubs and institutions are expected to descend on the National Stadium for the 36th staging of the Gibson Relays.

The relay carnival, which will be staged on February 25, will also feature the 100m hurdles women, 110m hurdles men, high jump and long jump for both male and female and the pole vault.

"We are expecting in the vicinity of 3,500 participants then you add another 600 officials to that, so you're talking about 4,000 plus people that will be participating from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.," organising committee member Winston Ulett pointed out.

"We have a couple teams from USA, St Vincent, Nevis, Guadeloupe and a couple other small islands, so we have about eight overseas countries that have applied to come," he added.

A usual feature of the event, the technical corner has been renamed in honour of former committee member, the late Howard Aris.

Wilks intends to spearhead the writing of a book documenting the history of the relays within the next two years.

It will cost patrons $1,200 for finish line seats, $900 for the rest of the grandstand, with all seats being reserved. It will cost $200 for the bleachers section.