After giving up football for his first love track and field, upcoming Wolmer's star Jaheel Hyde is highly confident that he will be able to win two gold medals at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Championships, which starts today at the National Stadium.

Hyde, who has represented the country both in athletics and football, has decided to pursue a career on the track and is convinced that he made the right choice.

Th youngster, who turned his back on a chance to join Jamaica's Under-17 team in their quest for qualification to this year's FIFA World Cup, is eying glory at this year's championships and is tipped to medal in the Class Two 110m hurdles event.

"Well, I am working towards gold medals in the 400m and the 110m hurdles. The aim in training is to win both events," Hyde confidently told The Star last week during a training session at the Stadium East track.

top contenders

Hyde admitted that though his Wolmer's team will not be among the top contenders for the boys title that they last won three years ago, they are still looking to break into the top three after last year's fourth-place finish.

"Wolmer's will not be a contender for Champs. However, we intend to finish in the top three; if not, at least in the top five," Hyde confessed.

Commenting on his decision to quit football and focus on track and field, Hyde said:

"The main thing is my love for track and field. I have decided to pursue track and field," Hyde said. "This year there is the World Youths and that is my target; to make the team. The Under-17 football qualifiers are in April and that will clash with track training, so something had to give."

"It was a very tough decision for me. Now I am looking forward to a track scholarship and then go pro. I have the support of my family," the 17 year-old added.

-M.S.