ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, December 9, 2016 – Former world 100 metres record holder Asafa Powell is among the first international track stars to confirm for the Grenada Invitational scheduled for the National Stadium in St George’s next April.
Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell made the announcement on Friday during the presentation of the 2017 budget.
Dr Mitchell said that Powell’s confirmation is an indication of the calibre of track and field stars expected to compete in the first major athletic event on the 2017 calendar.
The Prime Minister said that the Local Organising Committee (LOC) will be making further announcements of other confirmed competitors but he is happy that some of the athletes, who brought pride and joy to the Caribbean, have agreed to compete for the first time in Grenada.
“Of the many athletes expected to compete at this inaugural event, former world 100m record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica has confirmed his participation,” Dr Mitchell elaborated following the budget presentation.
“The Grenada Invitational, a private partnership initiative and supported by the Government, will provide Grenadians with an opportunity to see for the first time on local shores, elite international athletes competing at the National Athletic Stadium,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that the LOC has been working with Bahamian Olympian Chris Brown who has been negotiating with some of the top international athletes.
Powell has the fifth fastest time in the history of the 100 metres, clocking a personal best of 9.72 seconds and as of September, this year, he has broken the 10-second barrier more times than anyone else – 97 times.
Known as the sub-10 King, it will be Powell’s first time in Grenada and this athletic event is shaping up to be a treat for sports fans in Grenada.
“Chris (Brown) continues to deliver on his promise to introduce quality athletes to the Grenada fans and we’re happy on the developments,” said Michael Bascombe, the meet organiser.
“It’s an impressive list of track and field athletes and it will be an historic occasion for Grenada. The stakeholders including the athletics fraternity led by Mr Charles George have provided critical start-up information and we’re satisfied with the progress,” he said.
“With just about 120 days to the inaugural Grenada invitational, the excitement at the LOC level is intensifying, with all sub-committees now fully operational and working feverishly as Grenada gets ready to invite the World,” said Dexter Mitchell, who chairs the LOC.
“With the confirmation of Asafa Powell, the interests in the Invitational will only increase, buoying the efforts of all involved. Our next major public event will be an official launch on Thursday December 29th, 2016, at which time even more details related to the Invitational will be unveiled.”
The Grenada Invitational will be staged at the Chinese-funded National Athletic Stadium in St George’s on Saturday April 8, 2017.
For media information, contact media@grenadainvitational.com
Source: grenadainvitational.com