Athletics stars bid for spots on national teamBy STEPHON NICHOLAS Wednesday, June 17 2009
THE public can expect an exciting, competitive and quality meet this weekend when the National Association of Athletic Administration (NAAA) Sagicor Championships takes off on Friday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
TT’s double Olympic silver medallist Richard Thompson will be in action in the Men’s 100m and 4x100m relay event as well as top local sprinters Marc Burns and the talented Keston Bledman.
Ephraim Serrette, president of the NAAA said yesterday that TT athletes must compete in this event as his organisation is using it as a criteria for selection at the World Championships, World Junior Championships in Italy and the Pan Am Juniors scheduled to be held later this year in Trinidad.
The three-day event will feature track and field events in both the junior and senior categories as the global economic downturn has forced the NAAA’s to unify both Championships to cut costs. Serrette pointed out that the decision to hold both events in one has made it easier to manage. He noted that the USA also holds their national junior and senior meets at the same time which is easy for administration.
“We want to achieve a quality meet with a quality product to the public. It’s going to be competitive,” he said.
Serrette revealed that contrary to last year, the NAAA have implemented an entry standard to ensure only the cream of the talent are on show.
“Last year we had 79 entrants for the Men’s 100m but because of the entry standard this year we had just 30 persons registering and we will choose the best 24 times,” he said.
He explained that the entry standard will encourage athletes to improve their performances if they want to compete at the National Championships.
“They must train so they can perform at this level,” he said.
Serrette explained that he expects an exciting relay event with Nigeria and several other countries already registered to compete.
The entrance fee for Friday is $25 while for Saturday and Sunday the fee for the uncovered stand is $50 and $75 for the covered stand. Complimentary tickets have already been distributed to schools for their students to attend this track and field meet.
