The announced dates for Jamaica’s National Junior and Senior Championships, June 26-29, have been approved by World Athletics, the governing body of Track and Field athletics, the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) announced on Friday in a statement.

Athletes have also been assured of receiving ranking points for their participation, and performances will be used for qualification to all global championships. 

The World Championships have been set for September 13-21 in Tokyo, Japan with the sport’s governing body establishing two windows between late July and mid-August when federations can host their national championships without athletes needing to make a choice of where to compete.

The decision by the JAAA had been criticized by a number of stakeholders, especially athletes who were contracted by the cash rich Grand Slam Track series where their fourth and final meet is set for Los Angeles June 27-29.

There were also concerns that if the JAAA national championships were held outside the two ‘approved windows’ the performances would not be recognised by World Athletics and would not be accepted for qualification to the World Championships.