KINGSTON, Jamaica – Corporate Jamaica is being asked to offer more scholarships to persons, who want to pursue careers in sport.
This call came from the Director of Sports at the University of Technology (UTech), Anthony Davis, while speaking at a press conference and reception on Saturday (Sept. 26) in the VIP lounge at the Norman Manley International Airport, Kingston.
The event was held to welcome home 100-metre hurdles World Champion, Brigitte Foster-Hylton; 400-metre silver medalist Shericka Williams, and 100-metre bronze medalist Asafa Powell.
Earlier, the athletes were met on the jet bridge by a team of officials led by State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Shahine Robinson and representatives from the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA), the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Sports Development Foundation and members of the MVP track club. Brigitte’s mother, Primrose Palmer, was also part of the welcome party.
Mr. Davis said that the university offers training for students, who might wish to engage in sports while pursuing studies in academics.
“People, who are trained and who participate in sports, can make excellent employees and therefore, we implore our sponsors to assist the entire process by offering scholarships for people to come into UTech to study,” he said.
World 100 metres bronze medalist, Asafa Powell (left), world 100 metres hurdles champion Brigitte Foster-Hylton (centre) and 400 metres silver medalist, Shericka Williams, pose for the camera in the VIP lounge at the Norman Manley International Airport,Kingston, Saturday (September 26).
He spoke of the need for succession planning in the area of sport and to train young persons to replace older athletes after their retirement.
“Any good organisation has to plan to succeed. All of these persons (the athletes) have done exceptionally well and what we are looking at is how to bring the younger ones into the system that we have adequate replacement,” Mr. Davis said.
“Beijing was good, Berlin was exceptionally good, we anticipate London (site of the 2012 Olympics) may be even better. We don’t know yet, but what after London? Where are the replacements going to come (from)? That’s my appeal tonight,” Mr. Davis continued.
In her remarks, State Minister Shahine Robinson also encouraged business entities to come on board and to invest in the youth.
“It is an investment that cannot fail, because we have the talent, we have the skill, all we need is the economic backing to make sure that these young children can realize their goals,” she said.
