In a significant move to bolster Jamaica’s track and field program, Supreme Ventures Limited has pledged $25 million over the next five years to the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).
This commitment aims to support the administrative body and the athletes who represent the nation on the global stage.
Kamal Powell, head of marketing at Supreme Ventures, emphasized the importance of track and field in Jamaica’s sporting heritage. “Track and field is the bedrock of sports and sporting development in Jamaica, and that’s why we are part of this. We want to continue on that, as the athletes have contributed so much to the moral value of Jamaica for many years, and they continue to give endlessly and fly the Jamaican flag across the world,” Powell said.
Powell highlighted the ease of making this decision due to the profound impact Jamaican athletes have had internationally. The funding is also intended to support junior athletes, reinforcing Supreme Ventures’ commitment to the grassroots program. “What better way to do this than putting the financial muscle behind them so that they can make it to the Olympics?” he added.
Company’s desire to support the development of sports
He reiterated the company’s desire to support the development of sports in Jamaica, ensuring junior athletes know they have backing for the long term. “When you look at the work the athletes put in, we definitely wanted to put our money to support the development of sport in Jamaica. We also wanted to ensure that the junior athletes who are coming up will also know that Supreme Ventures has their back and we are here to support them for a long period,” Powell stated.
Garth Gayle, president of the JAAA, expressed gratitude for the generous contribution from Supreme Ventures. “It will go a long way in assisting us to pay our bills. We are very appreciative of it. It is also a testimony of a company that believes in Jamaica and is giving back through the sport of track and field,” Gayle said.
He noted the solid relationship between Supreme Ventures and the JAAA, which facilitated smooth discussions and agreements. “We’ve always had an excellent working relationship and, when they reached out to us, it wasn’t difficult for us to sit and work out all the challenges, which we’ve already done,” Gayle explained.
The announcement comes as Jamaica’s junior and senior athletes begin trials for the upcoming Paris Olympics and World Under-20 Championships. According to Gayle, the preparation phase has concluded, and it is now up to the athletes to perform. “We believe that we’ve put enough things in place from a technical standpoint to ensure the conduct of the event is of World Athletics standards and that our athletes now are only left with going out and doing what they’ve prepared for all these months,” he said.
