Champs 2020 faces cancellation, Jamaica shuns Penns as COVID-19 wreaks havoc on sports
A decision will also be taken within the next 24 hours on whether the 2020 ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships will be held this year.
The news comes on the heels of the country announcing its first case of the Coronavirus on Tuesday.
Jamaican high school and senior athletes have since the 1960s been major attractions at the relay carnival held at Franklin Field on the grounds of the University of Pennsylvania. However, in light of the rapid spread of the virus and the case announced in Jamaica on Tuesday, the Jamaican health minister said a decision is to be made about the athletes attending this year’s renewal.
More than 800 persons have been infected by the virus in the USA with more than 20 perishing.
“Decisions are going to have to be made in the not too distant future at it relates to these public gatherings. I know that Cabinet took a decision last evening (Monday) for the Ministry of Education to advise as it relates to the Penn Relays, and schools, by now, should have been advised that the Government is taking a position to not participate this year,” Minister Tufton said.
He explained that travel to Philadelphia involves levels of risk that the Government “would like to discourage.”
“As it relates to the 2020 ISSA Boys and Girls Championships, the minister said: “There is a meeting scheduled between the organisers, the Minister of Sports, the Minister of Education and myself, and the main sponsor, GraceKennedy Limited, where a decision will be taken, and that decision will be taken within 24 hours,” Minister Tufton said.
Meantime, the launch of the championships scheduled for Wednesday at the National Stadium in Kingston has been cancelled.
“Top Executives from GraceKennedy and ISSA met today, after the Health Minister’s announcement of a confirmed COVID 19 case in Jamaica. We agreed that the appropriate measure at this time would be to postpone tomorrow’s launch, and proceed with further discussions about what action should be taken in terms of the actual event,” said ISSA President, Keith Wellington. He added that ISSA was also in discussion with its associated sponsors, GraceKennedy.
GraceKennedy CEO Don Wehby said the safety of the nation's athletes were of primary concern.
“The Health Ministry has announced that infection prevention and control is a priority at this time,” Mr Wehby said. “We take COVID-19 very seriously and are concerned about the health and wellness of the student-athletes and all involved in the execution of Champs, as well as the implications for the 35,000 persons in attendance at the National Stadium especially during the last two days. This is a decision we will be making in the nation’s best interest.”