Minister Grange made the announcement at the press launch held at the National Indoor Sports Centre today.

She said that the winning school would receive $200,000 worth of sports gear and equipment; the school placing second would be given $150,000 worth of sports equipment and gear while it would be $100,000 worth of sports equipment and gear for the school coming in third.

In addition, the Sport Minister said, the schools placing fourth to 10^th would receive sports equipment and gear valued at $50,000.

“But it does not stop there, 400 pairs of spikes are being given to the participating schools with each of them getting three pairs. This will take care of the situation where many primary school athletes have had to run barefooted in competition.”

Miss Grange said it is costing $10M to stage this year’s championships. “The importance of these meets for the young ones cannot be overstated. We as a country must ensure that the requisite facilities and resources are allocated to them.

Miss Grange urged Jamaicans to turn out for next week’s Primary School Champs Meet for a first-hand experience of “the wonderful performances that we know these youngsters are capable of.”

The Minister said it was a happy state of affairs for sports in Jamaica when the country would in the same month of May get to see some of those who might well be tomorrow’s stars at the Primary School Champs and then later some of today’s star athletes at the IAAF Jamaica International Invitational Track and Field Meet on May 19. “We will be getting a glimpse of emerging potential as well as seeing potential realized.”

The Sport Minister also congratulated John Mills Infant Primary and Junior High School for coming out victors in the final staging of the INSPORTS All-Age & Junior High Athletics Championships which took place last month.

-END-