Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Powell - File

World 100m record holder Asafa Powell will be the star attraction at next Saturday's inaugural University of Technology (UTech) International University Track Meet, which will be held at the National Stadium.

Meet organiser Anthony Davis, director of sports at UTech, confirmed the world's fastest man, Powell, and a host of his MVP's teammates will grace the track. Powell will run the 200m.

Other top local athletes down to compete at the meet - which was launched at the Pegasus hotel yesterday - are Bridgette Foster-Hylton, who won bronze and silver at the 2005 and 2003 World Championships; Sherone Simpson, the fastest woman in 2006; World Championships silver medallist over 100m, Michael Frater; former national 400m champion Shereka Williams; World Junior 400m hurdles champion Kaliese Spencer, and Nester Carter.

Overseas entries

Davis also disclosed that entries have been received from several overseas universities, including the University of Puerto Rico, as well as The United States' Virginia State, Lincoln and Auburn universities.

He also said athletes from Cuba, Nigeria, Ghana, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago are down to participate at the meet dubbed the 'UTech 50th Track and Field Classic', which is is being held in commemoration of the university's 50th anniversary.

Davis also noted the university's intention to make it an annual event.

Besides the foreign contingent, athletes from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and a number of local clubs and institutions, including Racers, Sprint Tech, Atletico and the GC Foster College will also be in action at the meet.

The athletes will compete in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles, long jump, high jump, triple jump and javelin, as well as both the 4x100m and the 4x400m relays.