BY ADRIAN FRATER, News Editor
Brigitte Foster-Hylton in action at last year's Milo Western Relays. - CONTRIBUTED
western bureau
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.
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