BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - WITH the local track and field season already underway, officials within the St. Kitts and Nevis Amateur Athletics Association (SKNAAA) are confident of athletes staying healthy and returning favourable results for the year.
Those were some of the views echoed by Executive Member of the SKNAAA Evris Huggins, who was giving an overview of the body’s expectations for the 2017 athletics season, both regionally and internationally.
He noted that this is a World Championship year and athletes would have to remain in a competitive form if they are to perform and qualify for that Meet.
Additionally, he pointed out that the female athletes are show strong and credible signs that they are making headway in attaining faster times in the various distances, highlighting Tameka Williams and Shanel Crook.
“They have had lifetime best in their individual season openers recently,” he said.
On the junior scene, Huggins said the Association has seen promising athletes that are showing potential, and they “are likely to clinch the qualifying marks for the World Under-18 Championships.”
That Championship is said to be in its final year and would be held in Nairobi, Kenya in July.
The season sprinted off recently with the first of a number of Development Meets, and according to Huggins, the athletes are all showing competitive form.
Speaking to the expectations for the 2017 CARIFTA Games in Curacao, the Huggins indicated that the event is becoming more difficult since many of the times are better than before and as a result, the athletes are entering the events with an open mind.
“We just have to wait and see how the athletes perform. We can train the athletes but this is the premier junior event in the world, as rated by the IAAF. Times are getting faster, and so we just have to wait and see how the season goes.”
Further, he expressed hope that all the athletes willing to compete at the event can attain the qualifying standard and the Association can make the provisions for them to compete at the Games.
The junior season officially kicks off next month with the various schools having their sports day, before all eyes turn to the national championships, followed by CARIFTA Games Qualifying.
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