Ranked 19th and 24th respectively in the 100m and 200m on the IAAF Event World Rankings, Martina punched in his personal best performances this season and many took the view that he would follow the footsteps of several of his collegiate colleagues, including the incredible Xavier 'X-Man' Carter and sign a professional contract.

However, coach Bob Kitchens said he was a bit surprised to see the sprinter sign so soon given that there are no major championships vying for this season, but was happy that he was able to obtain a contract.

"I am a little surprised that he didn't wait one more year when there is more going on and possibly more money available," Kitchens, who coaches the Caribbean standout at the University of Texas - El Paso, told Caribbean Net News via electronic mail. "But it is his decision and we will support him in it."

He also noted that the Netherlands Antilles top sprinter, who won the 100m and finished second at the South American Junior Championships in 2002, would continue to compete on the European soil this season. He, however, did not say as to how many meetings he would run at, but noted that he will return and continue to train at the school.

Martina has personal bests of 10.04 and 20.27 - both achieved during collegiate competition this season. Looking at the top list of sprinting performances this season, only seven men, including joint world record holders Jamaican Asafa Powell and Justin Gatlin, the American World and Olympic champion, produced times faster than the 22-year-old Islander and Kitchens believes he's on the right track to becoming one the world's greatest.

"He is on the verge of some great things in my estimation and he will continue to go to school here at UTEP," Kitchens confirmed with Caribbean Net News from Texas on Wednesday. "Now we will change our focus a little bit but still try to give him  the foundation for a great season. Some things will change but the basics will remain the same.

"I still believe he will be a force in track and field for years to come. He is still very young and needs some seasoning," he said.

Earlier this season Kitchens told Caribbean Net News that "I believe he (Martina) has a chance to be one of the best sprinters, if not the best sprinter in the world.  He just needs time."

He also has the fastest time achieved in any conditions this season, at 9.76. He's also done two other sub-10 seconds clocking this season - 9.95 at the El Paso Conference USA Championships on May 12 and 9.99 at the Austin NCAA Midwest Regional Championships on May 27. However, like his 9.76 turn out, these two performances were also assisted by the wind.

Martina finished fourth in the 200-metre dash at the NCAA Outdoor Championship and sixth in the 100m. He was also part of the school's 4x100 metre relay squad that won a bronze medal at the meeting and his 9.95 his a school record for the dash.

In his last outing in Europe, he finished third in a B race at the IAAF Borotalco Golden Gala in Rome on Friday in time of 10.13. The young star will continue to make preparations as he looks towards winning the double at the 20th edition of the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championships on July 25.