YASCO Track Loses World Athletics Class 2 Certification as Resurfacing Plans Advance

The YASCO Sports Complex, Antigua and Barbuda’s only dedicated track and field facility, has lost its Class 2 certification from World Athletics as officials continue preparations to have the deteriorating running surface replaced.

World Athletics published an updated list of certified facilities in July, which showed that the St. John’s venue was no longer certified. YASCO received its Class 2 certification in July 2021, months after the installation and marking of a new internationally certified running surface.

President of the Antigua and Barbuda Athletic Association (ABAA), Shawnor Charles Joseph, said the association is aware of the situation and has been in discussions with Mondo, the international company responsible for the track, about having the surface relaid.

“Mondo has advised us that the order has been processed and that they will confirm the shipping date as soon as possible,” Joseph said.

“Once they have dispatched the shipping date and we would have received the estimated date of arrival from them, then we’d be in a better position to have a timeline,”

The development comes after concerns were raised about the condition of the YASCO track, which has shown significant deterioration despite being installed just over five years ago.

Late last year, former ABAA president and former national athlete Everton Cornelius publicly raised concerns about the state of the facility. He pointed to heavy use of the track as one of the factors contributing to the rapid deterioration of the surface.

According to Joseph, Mondo has indicated that a separate warm-up track must be completed before work can begin on replacing the main running surface.

Commissioner of Sports Colin Greene was tasked with overseeing the development of the warm-up facility, an undertaking initially given by former Sports Minister Daryll Matthew.

Joseph said work on that facility, being carried out in collaboration with the Public Works Department, is now approximately 80 per cent complete.

“I expect between the next three to four weeks, let’s say, that it should be ready so that whenever Mondo gets here, then they can [commence the work],” Joseph said.

There is still no confirmed date for the start of work on the main track, with the timeline largely dependent on the shipment and arrival of the necessary materials.

Once work begins, Joseph believes it could take up to two months for the entire running surface to be relaid.

The loss of certification is a setback for local athletics, particularly as YASCO remains the country’s lone track and field facility and serves as a major training and competition venue for athletes.

Mondo technicians completed the installation and marking of the previous running surface in March 2021. Four months later, in July, the facility officially received its World Athletics Class 2 certification.

The planned resurfacing is expected to address the deterioration that has developed since then and pave the way for the facility to once again meet international standards.

This article was adapted from original reporting by Neto Baptiste, Antigua Observer by Newsco.