Local athletes are currently engrossed in their final preparations for this weekend’s Hampton International Games which comes off at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo. The event is in its 39th year of existence and is expected to attract quite a number of international athletes.
T&T’s Jeminise Parris, a Carifta gold medallist, will line up in the 100 metres hurdles event, while Marcus Duncan of Rebirth will renew his rivalry with Barbadian Levi Codogan in the Men’s 100m dash in an event which is fully being supported by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and the Sports Company of T&T (SporTT).
SporTT has contributed $52,000 to the Games to cover the cost of medals, trophies and stipends for some 90 officials. Additionally, the meet timing and results management is also being handled by an eight-person team from SporTT, which provides this service to all meet organisers in T&T. The service comprises electronic photo finish and digital field events results, which allow spectators to see results in real time and for the overall meet results to be available immediately after the event’s conclusion.
This being an Olympic year, spectators will be treated to a highly competitive affair, with athletes attempting to make the qualifying standard for their respective country. The Caribbean will form the bulk of visiting athletes, with representation from French Guiana, Barbados, St Vincent, Martinique and Suriname. Kenyan athletes are also expected to bring their usual high standards to the distance events.
International athletes will participate in heats tomorrow with the finals unfolding over the following two days (Saturday and Sunday) from 1.30 pm and 2.30 pm, respectively.
Local track and field athletes, who competed in their heats some two weeks ago, will use the premier event to improve on their times/distances against quality opposition.
Entry fee is $35 for adults and $15 for children under 12. Patrons purchasing tickets will get a chance to win a door prize. The make the event even more exciting