Let’s get them on track
Wehby promises to help Edwin Allen secure synthetic surface
CHIEF EXECUTIVE Officer (CEO) of the GraceKennedy Group, Don Wehby, said he will be making a special appeal to Minister of Sports Olivia Grange, for assistance in laying a synthetic track at Edwin Allen High School, the now six-time girls’ champions.
During a one-on-one chat with The Gleaner following the school’s ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships title celebrations in Frankfield, Clarendon, yesterday, Wehby said that Edwin Allen have done well over the years, and, therefore, deserved to have a proper track to train on.
“We are going to try and support it as best as possible, but these synthetic track, there are world sporting organisations that usually assist along with the [past students], and so I am going to first speak to Olivia Grange, the minister of sports, and see what can be done,” said Wehby.
“I think that they (Edwin Allen) truly deserve a synthetic track. It can be a central synthetic track for this area, because Clarendon College is another school in the area that can use it, and so I am going to personally try and see if that can happen,” he said.
Head coach Michael Dyke, who led Edwin Allen to their fifth straight title and sixth overall on Saturday, said having a synthetic track would significantly boost the school’s track programme.
“I am feeling elated right now based what Mr Wehby has said in relation to working with the Government so see if they could assist with a running track,” Dyke said.
WEATHER CHALLENGE
“This year, we had a warm time with the weather and each year between September to December, it has been a real challenge to prepare the athletes properly because in this area, you have a lot of rain during that time, and as a result, our medical bill is very high,” Dyke said. “A lot of injuries occur because we have to be on the road as we don’t have proper facilities to train on, and this could also help us to raise funds because we could host track meets here as well.”
After the celebrations on the school grounds yesterday morning, the athletes paraded through the town of Frankfield, on to Chapelton then Spaldings, as they shared their victory with the communities which have been supporting them over the years.
Edwin Allen ended the meet with 324 points. Hydel finished second with 289; followed by Holmwood Technical, 285; St Jago, 178; Vere Technical, 105.50; and Excelsior,
103.50.