Anthony Foster, STAR Writer

In keeping with the International Association of Athletics Federations' (IAAF) mandate, the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACACAA) has announced its inaugural Senior Championships for next year.

The championships, which will include athletes from the United States and Canada, will be staged in El Salvador from July 13-15.

President of NACACAA, Amadeo Francis, confirmed the dates to STAR Sports in an interview yesterday.

Francis said the IAAF is looking forward to every region hosting its own Senior championships, which will form part of the qualification for the World Championships.

Francis, who is also vice-president of the IAAF, believes this championships will complete the full package for his region.

In recent years, NACACAA has added an Under-23 Championships, Combined Events Champion-ships and Cross Country Championships.

Francis also said he had hoped this new championships would have been held in Jamaica, but the government made it clear with the Cricket World Cup set for next March, they could not accommodate another major Championships.

"I think It would be the best place for it to be but, unfortunately, next year will be the World Cup of Cricket," added Francis.

"It was a great disappointment to me," added Francis, who said he would not be seeking re-election as president of NACACAA.

He, however, made it clear that he will would be seeking another term as a vice-president of the IAAF.