Sport

Eastern Champs returns to National Stadium

By ANTHONY FOSTER, Freelance Writer

THE JAMAICA NATIONAL Building Society (JNBS) certainly lived up to its slogan of 'We'll help you find a way' by teaming with the Jamaica Public Service, paving the way for the 2005 Eastern Athletics Championships final day to be staged at the National Stadium.

JNBS has been joined by the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) as associate sponsors for the February 7-8 championships to be held between Stadium East and the National Stadium.

Emile Spence, marketing executive at JNBS, said the national sporting spotlight is now focused on athletics and with the massive turnout at development meets, he was happy the final day of the championships will be held inside the National Stadium next Tuesday.

More accommodating

"We are particularly happy to note that the final day of the meet will be inside the National Stadium, which is much more accommodating for the thousands of students who come out to cheer their teammates each year," said the JNBS marketing executive.

"As a company, very much alive to our corporate responsibility, we have, as a matter of policy, focused a lot of attention on the development aspects of sports," he added.

Defending champions Morant Bay High head 18 schools at the champs. Kingpins Oberlin will also participate at the two-day meet.

JNBS will pump over $700,000 in its 20th year of sponsorship whereas $450,000 will come from the light and power company.

The sponsors' scholarship award, which was inaugurated two years ago, will continue. The sponsorship, tenable at any tertiary institution, will be selected by the Eastern Secondary School Sports Association (ESSSA).

Medals, trophies and cash awards will be up for grabs among top school and individual achievers.

The championships has showcased stars such as double Olympic sprint silver medallist Juliet Cuthbert, Nicole Mitchell, Rose Allwood, Jackie Pusey, Lilieth Hodges and Lawrence Christie.

The meet is also a qualifying event for Boys and Girls Championships.