Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the reigning IAAF World Athlete of the Year, is among a number of World Championships and Olympic stars expected to be on show at the seventh staging of the University of Technology (UTech) Track and Field Classic, slated for Saturday, April 12, at the National Stadium.

Fraser-Pryce, who holds the 60m, 100m, and 200m trio of World titles, will be joined at the meet by her Maximum Velocity Performance (MVP) club mates. The group includes Olympic relay gold medallist Nesta Carter and 2012 Diamond League winner Kaliese Spencer, along with outstanding quarter-miler Stephanie McPherson.

Bruce James, president of the MVP track club, and organiser of the meet, said with the first staging of World IAAF World Relays scheduled for next month, most of the elite athletes have signalled their intentions to run in the relay events.

"We are giving the best of our Jamaicans athletes an opportunity for additional relay running prior to the World Relays Championships, which will be held next month," said James.

"The elite athletes are also exciting to come out and compete because the first Diamond League race is in less than a month, after this meet, and this is a great warm-up for them," he said.

He added that Racers Track Club as also confirmed that they would be sending 4x100m men and female relays teams, as well as their 4x400m teams in both sections to compete at the championships.

Terry-Anne Wilson, corporate affairs officer of main sponsors, The Gleaner, said her company is committed to the development of the nation's athletes.

"A company must put its money where its mouth is; and that is what The Gleaner is doing through its sponsorship of the UTech Classic this year," said Wilson.