One hundred years of local sporting rivalry and excellence in high schools track and field athletics was celebrated last evening at the launch of the 100th staging of the Inter Secondary School Sports Association (ISSA)/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletic Championship at the Terra Nova All Suites Hotel in Kingston.

Title sponsors GraceKennedy also announced an extension of its sponsorship to an additional three years, valued at $75 million - $25 million of which will be pumped into this year's staging.

Regarded by most as one of the greatest meet of its kind in the world, this year's staging of the four day spectacle - which starts on March 24th and ends on the 27th - will hold special significance as meet organisers and sponsors look to commemorate the event which has been staged every year since 1910.

Activities

It is the oldest of its kind in the world.

With 100 days to go before the meet's opening day and in recognition of the its contribution to the development of the sport over the years, ISSA has crafted a number of activities which will begin in early 2010, including an awards banquet, public lecture hosted by GraceKennedy, a book launch and a 100k Torch Run on the championship's eve.

ISSA president, Dr Walton Small, said: "At a time when crime, violence and indiscipline overwhelms our society, we want to celebrate an activity where we see in our athletes discipline and passion for the sport. At this time we want to applaud, commend and highlight the good, disciplined students of today and past years.

"The celebration of the championships are brought into sharp focus when one looks at the unique opportunity that it provides for our athletes, which no other athlete in their age group, in the world is exposed to."

Happy

GraceKennedy CEO and chairman, Douglas Orane said: "We are extremely happy to be a part of this celebration and we are pleased to be involved in this institution that has contributed to the development of our country at several levels and also to the overall development of our athletes over the years."

"We believe in this championships and we have a number of things planned for next year's staging. We have extended for the next three years and we are looking forward to the continuation of our relationship," Orane added.

The ISSA/GraceKennedy 'Champs 100' will be staged at the National Stadium from March 24-27, 2010. Kingston College and Holmwood Technical are the respective boys and girls champions.