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Smythe heaps praise on Western Primary Champs for developing talent
June 13, 2025
In the eyes of Johan-Ramaldo Smythe, fierce competition is always good.
Smythe, who won the 200m gold competing for Muschett High School at Champs, is a former participant at the Western Primary Schools Athletic Championship (WPSAC), which he believes helps junior athletes to develop a tough character.
The meet's 13th staging is set to begin today at 9 a.m. at Herbert Morrison Technical High School in Montego Bay and Smythe believes it will highlight much hidden talent.
"It is always good for athletes in western Jamaica because it shows what talent they have. It also shows how they handle pressure while competing against each other," Smythe told STAR Sports.
"This is also good for the coaches in high schools because they are able to scout the athletes from early," added Smythe, who believes this event helped with his development.
The head coach of Wakefield Primary, Ceresa Jenkins, says they intend to take the title away from defending champions Esher Primary.
"We will see, we are coming for it," said Jenkins, whose athletes were the first back-to-back champions since the meet's inception in 2009.
"I am expecting great things and my team will do extremely well. Traditionally, we are always in the top five, so I am hoping that we will continue that beat," added Jenkins, who admitted that most of the events in which her athletes are expected to struggle are not on today's schedule.
Meanwhile, La Toya Calvin-Williams, coach of Anchovy Primary and Infant, said the event's return is a blessing for students in the rural area.
"It is a big deal and I really wanted the event back. For some of us here in the rural parts of St James, it is really the only competition or avenue to showcase the students' skill and talent," said Calvin-Williams.
"I am excited about having a platform for the students. You never know, we might just surprise the tough competition. I am expecting great competition," she added.
The event went on a brief hiatus in 2024, owing to the unavailability of a suitable venue. Organisers are expecting more than 750 students across 36 events.
The meet will start with the 800 metres open for boys and girls in classes one and two.
Athletes will compete across four age-group categories, participating in a range of track and field events designed to test speed, strength, endurance, and teamwork.
Class One and Class Two athletes will compete in the 100 metres, 200m, 400m, 4x100 metres and long jump. Class Three paarticipants will compete in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, while Class Four competitors will display their speed in the 80m, 150m, and 4x100m relays.
Trophies and medals will be awarded to the outstanding athletes and schools at the event."
