Hydel High will not defend their girls title at the the Central Athletics Championships, to be held over two days starting tomorrow Tuesday February 24th at G.C. Foster College of Sports and Physical Education.

Earlier this year, Corey Bennett, head coach of two-time Issa/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ athletics championships winners Hydel high school, had cast serious doubt over his team’s participation in this year’s championships due to a lack of financial support from both the school’s administration and the Ministry of Education.

Bennett said the programme is in urgent need of funding to meet basic operational costs. However, despite this, its not certain if this was the main reason why Hydel will not defend their title at Central Champs this year.

Meantime, the final regional high school track and field meet of the season, will see athletes seeking qualifying standards for next month’s Issa Boys’ and Girls’ athletics championships.

While the ferry-based Hydel has not registered for the meet, defending champions Edwin Allen, St Jago, Holmwood technical, Manchester high and Vere technical, all of whom have tasted victory at the national level are all registered, with Edwin Allen starting as favourites.

With the absence of Hydel, Edwin Allen’s biggest challenge should come from Holmwood Technical,

On the male side, defending champions St Jago look well set to continue their dominance and lift another title.

Their biggest challenge is expected to come from a resurgent Clarendon College, and Edwin Allen.

Competition gets underway on Tuesday morning with the girls’ 2000m steeplechase finals at 8:30 a.m., to be followed 15 minutes later by the boys’ finals.

Also on the track, there will be finals in the 100m, 400m and 1500m in all classes for both males and females.

Three field event finals are slated to start the programme at 9:00 a.m.: the Class 4 girls’ high jump, Class 1 girls’ discus and Class 2 boys’ long jump.