The local track and field season got off with the staging of the first Development Meet of the year which took place at the Hasely Crawford Stadium yesterday. Action continues today at the same venue with a multi-event meet from 10 am and the Secondary Schools 5K at Maracas from 2.15 pm.
All development meets in Tobago have been cancelled. NAAA Secretary Allan Baboolal said the alternative venues earmarked for use following the closure of the Dwight Yorke stadium in Bacolet for repairs are not suitable for training and competition. Baboolal further explained that recent rains have left the Scarborough and Roxborough grounds waterlogged and unsuitable for use. He also added that the NAAA is worried about the preparations of Tobago athletes for this year's Carifta Games in Bahamas from March 30 to April 1.
Baboolal also said the Larry Gomes and Mannie Ramjohn stadia are also closed and the Ato Boldon stadium is expected to be closed soon for repairs. The Hasely Crawford stadium is also to be unavailable during the Carnival season.
Baboolal explained that arrangements are being made for Tobago athletes to compete in development meets in Trinidad.Head of the Tobago Falcons Athletic Club Durly Lucas confirmed that plans are being put in place to have athletes travel to Trinidad while Tobago Jaguars coach Althea Busby added that her charges attended yesterday's development meet.
Several attempts were made to contact Gerard Franklyn, head coach of Zenith Athletic Club, but calls to his contact numbers went unanswered.
January's Schedule
Jan 12 NAAA Development Meet Hasely Crawford Stadium, POS 10:00am
Jan 13 NAAA Multi-Event Meet Hasely Crawford Stadium, POS 10:00am
National Secondary Schools 5K Maracas 2:15pm
Jan 19 NAAA Development Meet Hasely Crawford Stadium, POS 10:00am
Jan 20 T&T Marathon Finish-Chaguaramas
Jan 26 NACAC Cross Country Championships Jamaica
Jan 27 NAAA Development Meet Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva 10:00am
2012 Results
Boys
1 Mark London Bishops High-Tob 14:11
2. Akeem Marshall Toco Secondary 14:13
3. Nicholas Landeau Belmont Boys Secondary 15:20
4 Travis Diaz Shiv Boys Hindu 16:05
5. Jevon Joseph Belmont Boys Secondary 16:11
Overall
1 Toco Secondary
2 Belmont Boys Secondary
3 Shiva Boys Hindu
Girls
1 Dawnell Collymore East Mucurapo 17:47
2 Donicia Antoine Toco Secondary 18:26
3 Jovanie Lewis Mathura Secondary 19:03
4. Shianne Thomas Scarborough Secondary 19:28
5 Kecheil Douglas Toco Secondary 20:50
Overall
1 Toco Secondary
2 St. Augustine Secondary
3 Holy Faith Convent Penal