Grace Jackson - Colin Hamilton

By Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Chairperson of the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association's (JAAA) competitions committee, Grace Jackson, is the new organiser of Hurdles Fest, which will be staged tomorrow at Stadium East starting at 3:00 p.m.

With the meet facing cancellation when the previous organisers were forced to pull out because of a lack of sponsorship, Jackson said she saw it fit to ensure the event was staged.

"When I heard of the challenges, I offered to take it over," said Jackson, who is also the first vice-president of the JAAA.

Jackson, an Olympic Games 200m silver medallist, made mention of two of the most important reasons why she decided to take it on.

"I wanted to make sure the hurdlers get another opportunity - it's in the national interest and I think it is important," she said.

She also added: "We have it on the calendar and they (athletes) would have been planning for it, so it's best to have it."

Jackson said the event is in need of a title sponsor to add to the assistance the JAAA is offering.

"We could do well with sponsorship because we will not be able to give out medals," she pointed out.

Meanwhile, all the island's top high school hurdlers, including World Youth Championships 100m hurdle silver medallist, Natasha Ruddock of St. Jago, will take part. Alpha's Chermaine Williams, a finalist from the World Youth Championships, and her teammate Claudia Calder are also scheduled to participate.

Williams will line up in the Class Two sprint hurdles while Calder will face St. Jago's Yanique Haye and Shanique Smikle in the 400m hurdles open.

Also competing are St. Jago's top Class Four 70m hurdler Chrisdale McCarthy, along with Samantha Scarlett and Tanya Bryan in the Class Three 80m event.

On the boys' side, Kingston College's Lemmar Wilson, who has the fastest Class Three sprint time (13.90), and his Class Two teammate Kimarley Henry, along with Wolmer's Akeen Smith, are some of the top athletes expected.

Feedback: anthony.foster@gleanerjm.com