Doldron: Athletes gaining on J’ca

This was evident at the just concluded Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Junior Championships held at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

This was stated by president of the National Amateur Athletics Association (NAAA) Ken Doldron yesterday.

Hosta TT team captured 39 medals at the championship— ten of which are gold and included two new records.

Rhonda Watkins’ leap earned her the record in the Under-20 Girls’ Long Jump event with a distance of 6.56 metres while the Annie Alexander covered a distance of 45.62 metres in the Girls’ Under-20 Discus Throw, also a new mark.

The home team also secured 17 silver medals and 12 bronze to cap a generally impressive performance against top class opposition.

Jamaica, as expected, ran away with the lion’s share of medals at the championship with 59 medals. But according to Doldron the Jamaicans have won much less than they did at the last championship which is an indication that other countries are closing in on them.

Second-placed Mexico collected 42 medals and Puerto Rico took home 23.

He credits the performance of the Trinidad and Tobago team to the work of the coaches and management staff as well as the commitment of the athletes.

Doldron said that improvements also stemmed from the introduction of a gap-analysis programme, which charts the performances of the Trinidad and Tobago’s athletes at every championship.

He added that this can only be done from the assistance of all stakeholders involved— the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, Ministry of Social Development and families and parents who provide proper nutrition as well as support.

Doldron stressed however that the championships show that the Jamaicans are still way ahead.

One of the reasons he said is the relationship that the Jamaican Athletic Association share with government, the business sector and the public support they receive as well.

“They have been able to have a programme implemented at the schools, primary and secondary, with a qualified coach in both,” Doldron said.

Paid coaches are employed in the programmes, particularly in athletics in Jamaica as opposed to TT where there are Physical Education teachers, most of whom are specialised in a particular sport which may not be athletics.

According to Doldron the NAAA has done a presentation to the Ministry of Education to implement athletics programmes in the schools with qualified coaches to conduct them.

Overall the athletics boss said he was very pleased with the organisation of the championship.