Collins overlooked for Polish games

Basseterre (St. Kitts), March 6 (IANS/CMC) Veteran sprinter Kim Collins has been left out of the St. Kitts and Nevis team for the upcoming World Indoor Championships in Poland, track and field officials in the said.

The 28-year-old sprinter, the world’s fourth fastest man over 60m for 2014, has not been included in a small team announced by the St. Kitts and Nevis Amateur Athletic Association (SKNAAA), in a release issued Wednesday night, reports CMC.

The two-man team of sprinters Jason Rogers and Brijesh Lawrence will represent the twin-island state at the games March 7-9 in the Polish city of Sopot.

Collins has been at odds with track and field officials here after he was sent home from the 2012 London Olympics for allegedly spending the night with his wife without authorisation.

However, media reports and athletic officials here say consideration was being given to Collins’ renewed interest in representing his country again at World Games.

The British press has quoted him as saying he had reached out to the SKNAAA and was hopeful that they would allow him to run and represent the country at the World Indoor Event.

“Kim Collins wrote to the executive and congratulated the new executive and expressed his intent to participate in future competitions and our executive discussed it and that is just step one in the right direction,” said SKNAAA Public Relations officer Evris Huggins.

“We are definitely looking and hoping for a resolution in our relationship with Kim Collins as soon as possible.”

Collins was also left off the World Championship team last season despite a petition that drew thousands of signatures supporting his bid to run.

The SKNAAA is reported to have set up a new committee to mediate talks between Collins and the federation.

“The discussions have already began at SKNAAA level. I am happy to announce we have decided to put together a committee who would be able to address the existing relationships with our athletes,” said Huggins.

“The focal point is the issue surrounding Mr. Collins. That group would be charged to contact the athlete and try to fix whatever relationships that is.”