The Velocity Fest Track Meets were held at the Ashenheim Stadium at Jamaica College in July and the National Stadium on Saturday and Sunday without sponsors, collection of entry fees, and patrons that would have provided funds for the events. This was disclosed by MVP Track Club president and director of Velocity Fest Track Meets, Bruce James.
James, says that the decision to not bring sponsors on board was a sacrifice to give athletes the opportunity to compete.
“The rationale is that we decided to make a sacrifice so that the athletes could have an opportunity to compete,” James told STAR Sports.
“Taking of entry fees would have involved touching money and we did not want to handle that.”
James said, however, that the decision to not invite sponsors to cover the series of meets was because an approval from the Ministry of Health and Wellness to host the event was not guaranteed.
He says that the Velocity Fest track meets will be held when athletes require the meets to gauge their performances for their 2020-2021 track season.
“We do it in response to needs expressed by the athletes to host these meets so if there is more demand and indication that is needed from the athletes then we will have them,” James said.”
However, he is hopeful that he will be able to invite sponsors on-board to these events in the future.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson- Herah were two highlight performances at the event held at the National Stadium on Saturday. They clocked the two fastest times over 100m this year with times of 10.87 and 10.88 seconds, respectively.
