The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FOR the fifth consecutive year, the Ambassadors Track Club, with the help of Florida's Natural, will honour their head coach Fritz Grant with an invitational track and field meet at Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium on May 12.

The meet will take on a new format as, for the first time, athletes will compete in the under-18 and under-20 divisions which are now designed by the IAAF.

Christian Knowles, one of the club representatives, said they are anticipating that at least the 20-plus clubs registered in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations and more than 700 athletes will participate.

"CARIFTA and all the other events for juniors were under-17 and under-20 but that one year (in age difference) may not sound like a lot," Knowles said.

"But we have some kids that are in their first year under-18 that are not as strong as those in the under-20. They are now thrown into the under-18 and will compete with those under-17."

The other categories include under-7, under-9, under-11, under-13, under-15 and open men and women. There will be a registration fee for all athletes who will be allowed to compete in as many events as they wish.

With the majority of the local athletes vying to compete for spots on the CUT, Jr Central American and Caribbean, World Juniors, NACAC Under-23 and the Olympic Games teams, Knowles said he expects the competition to be very intense.

"If you are around the track when these athletes are trying to make these national teams, it is highly competitive," Knowles said.

"I mean, you see some really fantastic times. So we're looking forward to it and we're looking forward to the new categories to see how that works out. The athletes are going to support us, the parents are going to support and the public is going to support us, so let's do it."

With Team Bahamas' second place finish at this year's Carifta Games in Hamilton, Bermuda, Grant said the meet will provide the athletes with an opportunity to continue to prepare themselves for the upcoming international events.

"In June, we have the National Championships for the junior athletes so this will give the coaches an opportunity to work with the athletes to see where they are in an effort for them to qualify," he said.

As the patron once again, Grant said he is grateful to God and humble that his club has seen it fit to honour him in this manner.

"My whole philosophy is developing young people, the youth of the country, and putting back what people have invested in me," he said. "It's just a great experience and I feel thankful and grateful for this opportunity. It's all about development. I use the holistic approach of developing young people and building characters and helping them to showcase their lives in athletics. So I'm honoured that it's being held in my name."

With the meet being sanctioned by the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations, athletes will not only be vying for spots on the various national teams. They will also get to compete for medals and T-shirts that will be presented to the first three finishers in each event.

Jeff Saunders, brand manager for Florida's Natural at Asa H Pritchard, said they were so impressed with what they saw at last year's meet that they decided to continue to sponsor the meet.

"When you can get thousands of persons in one place with hundreds of athletes and their parents and friends, it's a great feeling to be a part of that," Saunders said.

"Wherever children and young adults are, we want to be. We couldn't be more pleased with what we have seen. We are delighted to be back as the sponsors."

Saunders and Asa H Pritchard director Neil Pritchard presented a cheque to Knowles and Grant to signify their sponsorship of the meet.