Statement by the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, OJ, CD, MP

I have noted the statement from GraceKennedy that it will consider withdrawing sponsorship of the Inter Secondary Schools Sports Association Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships if indiscipline by athletes persists.

As the Minister of Sport, I am saying that we cannot allow indiscipline by high school children to be the cause of a disruption in the sponsorship of Champs by the GraceKennedy Group, which has been huge for many years.

I am calling on the schools, the coaches and their charges to ensure that this year is the last we will see acts of indiscipline by student athletes at Champs.

I am willing to facilitate talks involving ISSA, representatives of the schools and of the sponsors to arrive at the steps that we may take to see that there is no repetition of behaviour by competitors which will not only dampen the enthusiasm of the sponsors but will put what is considered to be the world’s leading high school track and field competition into disrepute.

It is good news that Senator Don Wehby, the Chief Executive Officer of GraceKennedy Group, while expressing the Group’s disenchantment, says Grace is willing to do what it can to help young athletes display civil behaviour.

I am anxious that we see to it that Champs continues to be the beacon it is in the world of track and field. Nothing should be allowed to mar its reputation in any way.



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