Increase in Prize Money for National Primary Schools Athletic Championship
By: , April 23, 2024
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, with primary-school student athletes at a press conference held today (April 23) at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St. Andrew. She announced increased prize money for schools participating in the INSPORTS/Devon Biscuits National Primary Schools Athletics Championship.The Full Story
The Government has increased the prize money for the INSPORTS/Devon Biscuits National Primary Schools Athletics Championship, with the winners taking home $600,000, up from $500,000.
Making the disclosure at a press conference, held on April 23 at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St. Andrew, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, said the increase is geared at motivating the primary school athletes to give of their best.
“It is important to encourage you, as you put your heart and soul into representing Jamaica, representing your schools and community,” the Minister told the students in attendance.
She pointed out that the second-placed school will receive $350,000, up from $250,000, and third will get $300,000, up from $200,000.
Regional Champions will also get increased prize money.
“We are about to see, once again, the quality of the country’s youngest set of athletes with the renewal, for it has evolved into a gripping event, emulating the fervour of competition brought on by their seniors in the Inter-Secondary Championships,” the Minister said.
Some 133 schools, and more than 6,000 students will compete in the Championships, which will commence with the Eastern Championships from May 1 to 3, at the Stadium East, followed by the Central Championships between May 6 and 8, at the GC Foster College.
The Western Championships will be held at the St. Elizabeth Technical High School, from May 9 to 11.
The grand finale to decide the All-Island Champion will be held at the National Stadium, between May 20 and 22. The St. Thomas-based Lyssons Primary School is the National Champion and defending Champion from the East.
Spanish Town Primary in St. Catherine is the defending Central Champion, while the St. James-based Corinaldi Avenue Primary School is the Western Champion.
Minister Grange noted that many athletic careers began at the primary school level, and thanked Devon Biscuits Jamaica for injecting $7 million in the Championships, and also for the funds that it has invested in the sport over the years.