Powell to star in Montego Bay

BY ADRIAN FRATER, News Editor


THE UNFINISHED CATHERINE HALL STADIUM, in Montego Bay, is poised to
sizzle under top-class track and field tomorrow as 100m world record
holder Asafa Powell heads the strong contingent of senior and junior
athletes, who are down to participate in the 28th renewal of the
Milo Western Relays.

ALL SYSTEMS GO

"It is now all systems go as everything is in place for what should
be a day of excitement," said Ray Harvey, the meet director for the
one-day relay carnival which will feature 54 high schools, 24
prep/primary schools and 17 Clubs/Institutions.

According to Harvey, the MVP Track Club confirmed yesterday that
they will be sending two relay teams. The Kingston-based school has
vowed to scorch the Mondo track at Catherine Hall and will be
setting new records in the 4x100m relays for both men and women.

The male team includes Powell, World Championships 100m silver
medallist Michael Frater, Ainsley Waugh and Winston Smith, while the
female team line-up is former Holmwood Technical star Nyoka Cole,
World Championships hurdles bronze medallist Brigitte Foster-Hylton,
World Champion-ships 100m finalist Sherone Simpson and Shericka
Williams.

Other clubs expected to compete at this year's Milo Western Relays
include G.C. Foster College, the High Performance Centre and the
University of the West Indies.

The meet will feature 37 events - 35 track events and two field
events in the form of the male and female long jump.

PEAK PREPARATION

With most high schools now in peak preparation for the upcoming
Gibson Relays and VMBS Boys & Girls' Championship, traditional
giants such as Holmwood, which took home the outstanding female team
last year, and Kingston College, which took the male equivalent, are
expected to be seriously challenged by the likes of Wolmer's,
Jamaica College, St. Jago, St. Elizabeth Technical, Holmwood, Vere
Technical, Manning's and Herbert Morrison.

"I am expecting the usual excitement among the high schools as I am
sure the coaches will be using the meet to gauge the readiness of
their athletes," said Mr. Harvey. "In addition, there is an
impressive incentive package at stake for the athletes who do well."

Main sponsor Milo has announced a whopping $200,000 scholarship
bursary for an outstanding athlete, who meets the academic
qualification to attend the G.C. Foster School of Physical
Education.

In addition, the outstanding male and female athletes will be
gunning for The Gleaner/Youthlink Award.

While patrons will once again be faced with the inconvenience of no
spectator stands, the organisers will be using technology to make
the experience less stressful as giant visual screens will be
strategically placed at the venue so that spectators, coaches and
athletes can view the races live and delayed.

Milo, which has been the main sponsors of the Western relays since
1994, increased their sponsorship from last year's $400,000 to the
current figure of $500,000. According to Milo's Consumer Marketing
Manager Kenneth Dodd, the increased sponsorship underscores Milo's
commitment to building future champions.