BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - TOP track and field athletes from the sub-region are expected to grace the shores of St. Kitts to compete in the 2013 OECS Invitational Championship scheduled to take place at the Silver Jubilee Stadium on June 9.
In an interview with SKNVibes, the Public Relations Officer of the St. Kitts-Nevis Amateur Athletic Association (SKNAA), Evris Huggins, explained that six countries have already confirmed their registration and close to 100 of the best athletes in the sub-region would be participating in the meet.
“To date we have six countries which have confirmed to us their participation. Registration will close off on Thursday (June 6) and I don’t have the final figures, but up to Friday over 80 athletes and team officials registered thus far.
“We have confirmation so far from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, Dominica and, of course, host country St. Kitts and Nevis. Up until Friday we have not received any correspondents from Grenada and Anguilla.”
He added that the meet would also be used as a qualifier for the IAAF World Championships slated for August this year.
“We are quite satisfied with the mixture and the diversity of the teams in terms of the countries that are willing to participate in this invitational. It is dubbed as a qualifier for the World Championships of Athletics which will be held in Moscow Russia later this year.”
Huggins also disclosed that the meet would remain as an invitational for this year’s staging and would see a competition among the participating countries, noting that it would be an event of high calibre performances.
“It still remains as an invitational. We more look at it as the development for the athletes and as a qualifier.
“The meet is going to be of a very high calibre and will see the best of the best from the sub-region trying to attain the qualifying standards that they are looking for. It’s a great opportunity for our country as well.”
The PRO explained how the meet would benefit Kittitian and Nevisian athletes.
“Last year we had a total of four ‘A’ qualifiers in the 100 metres and, so far this year, three of our Olympians are already running decent times in the 100 metres and certainly would be hopeful. And with a very fast track, we can see some fast time. We are also looking for some competition in the relays.
“Although they have already attained the qualifying mark for the 4x100 metres at the World Championships, we still want them competing together as a team.”
Huggins also highlighted what track and field enthusiasts could expect at the meet.
“Track and field fans can expect the SKNAAA to deliver the best officiated meet in the region and the best performances from the top athletes in the sub-region. Also, one can expect to see current national champion Antoine Adams and Olympians like Delwayne Delaney, Brijesh Lawrence and Lestrod Roland.”
