‘We’re keeping track, Babsy!’ - Coaches fume about broken promises by Govt about MoBay running track upgrade

Western Bureau

Track and field coaches in western Jamaica say the absence of the Montego Bay Sports Complex (MBSC) track will hamper the development of young athletes in the region.

The state of the track at the venue forced the cancellation of the 2021 Western Milo Relays last week, with meet organiser Ray Harvey saying he would've done all the necessary to host the event this year, in spite of COVID-19.

The track that was installed in 2001 was deemed unfit for competition in 2018.

Mount Alvernia High School coach Andrew Henry says that the Government has to bear some responsibility for what he believes is a predicted decline in western Jamaica's athletics.

"Let's be frank, I think the pandemic is being used as an excuse for the renovation not being done," Henry told STAR Sports.

Henry mentioned as well that the National Stadium has been renovated on numerous occasions, unlike MBSC's, which was installed in 2001 and deemed unfit for competition in 2018. He also mentioned that a number of secondary schools have also been able to place tracks while MBSC has been neglected.

"Also, would you say that a group of old boys are more powerful than the Government of this country," he asked. "How it is that KC, JC, and Calabar can all have chevron tracks?

"They need to look at what they are doing to develop the track and field in the region. What the Government is doing is killing the sport in western Jamaica."

Not having a functioning track

Rusea's High School coach Rodrick Myles says that not having a functioning track in the region has been a setback for many schools financially.

"Remember, 60 per cent of our (Jamaica's) medals came from western Jamaica in 2008 and 2009 Olympics and World Championships, respectively, the height of our glory," Myles said. "The world's fastest man (Usain Bolt) came from just 30 miles out of Montego Bay and we don't have a track.

"It should not reach this stage. It's not only Milo Western Relays, but other meets. This is going to be way more setback. Financially, remember that most schools depend on their tuck shops. Imagine with COVID and every meet we have to travel to Kingston, which costs $90,000 for a bus."

Sports Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange promised last month that upgrades to the track would be made soon. This was after saying that funds were made available to start work on the facility.

"The minister has said again that in the next budget we should have the track," Myles said. "She said it last year, but now saying is because of COVID-19 [why work has not started], so let's wait and see."