Press Release
For Immediate Release
May 31, 2022

JTA/Sagicor National Athletics Championships back after two-year hiatus

Kingston Jamaica: The National Stadium will be buzzing with competition on June 10 & 11, 2022 as the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) /Sagicor National Athletics Championships makes a comeback after a two-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 37th staging of the championships was launched on Tuesday, May 31 at the Corporate Office of the Jamaica Teacher’s Association, located in Downtown, Kingston. 

The track and field meet will feature some of Jamaica’s best athletes at the primary level, competing for the coveted Parish Championship title. Title sponsor, Sagicor Foundation has committed to a sponsorship of $10 million towards the Championship’s execution this year. In addition, the overall Champion boy and girl from the meet will also receive five-year secondary scholarships valued at $50,000 annually. 

Kayon Walker-Heslop, Manager, Employee Benefits Division, Sagicor Life, praised the Championship for being the launchpad for several Jamaican track & field stars during her delivery of the sponsor’s message at the launch event. 

“Our primary school teachers and coaches have remained vigilant over the years and have been able to spot and nurture talent in our children in their early years, and they have been instrumental in solidifying this Championship as the birthplace of sporting royalty. Over the last 36 years we have stood with the JTA as proud partners as we gave countless athletes – many of whom are now world champions – their first taste of competing outside of their school sports day,” shared Walker-Heslop. 

She also acknowledged the importance of an active sports culture. “Sagicor remains dedicated to this championship and the great opportunities it represents for the development of our nation’s youth through sport and education. Indeed, sport remains one of the best ways to teach our children critical life skills such as teamwork, endurance, and discipline, while sharpening their problem-solving skills and promoting physical and neural development,” she said.

The last staging of the Championships in 2019 saw St Andrew retaining the Parish Champion title for the second consecutive year after amassing 332.5 points. In second place was St Elizabeth on 232 points while Portland placed third with 213 points. 

Winston Smith, JTA President, expressed his delight for the return of the meet. 

“I am extremely pleased to know that we will be having this stellar Championship after a two-year break, due to the pandemic. This championship undoubtedly will provide an opportunity for students to showcase their talents as well as for teachers and coaches to unearth hidden talents among the nation’s children. The JTA is hoping that more athletes will follow the path of Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, among many others whose talents were discovered at this meet years ago,” said Smith.

Attendance to the meet is free to the public on both days.  

About Sagicor Group Jamaica

Sagicor Group Jamaica is a financial services conglomerate.  The Company commenced operations in 1970 as Life of  Jamaica  Limited,  the  first locally owned  life  insurance  company  and  the  first  life  insurance  company  to  be  listed  on  the  JSE.  The Group offers products and services in the areas of Banking, Insurance, Investments, Real Estate, Asset Management and Retirement Planning.  Sagicor Life Jamaica Limited is the  leading  Life  and  Health  insurance provider in  Jamaica; the Bank is one of Jamaica’s largest bank, and Sagicor Investments is one of the top Investments Company in the Country.   Sagicor Group Jamaica is a member of the wider Sagicor Financial Corporation. Sagicor Financial Corporation operates in over 20 countries and its operations date back to 1840.
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For further information please Michelle-Ann Letman at 876.936.7838; 818-6204 or email [email protected]
Sagicor Group Jamaica, 28-48 Barbados Avenue, 
Kingston 5,