RJRGLEANER honours outstanding achievements
Published:Tuesday | January 16, 2018 | 12:00 AMPaul Clarke/Gleaner Writer
Veteran reggae crooner Hugh Beresford Hammond led a cast of four individuals and one organisation to receive the first batch of RJRGLEANER Honour Awards for their significant contribution to the quality of life in Jamaica during the last 12 months or are likely to bring about such change in the immediate future.
The RJRGLEANER Honour Awards recognises the initiatives, accomplishments and courage of individuals or organisations that have made a sterling contribution to Jamaica's development in the categories of art and culture, sports, science and technology, entertainment, business, public service, education, voluntary service, and health and wellness.
From the list of awardees in the nine categories, one will be named awardee of the year at the RJRGLEANER Gala Luncheon to be held on February 13.
Yesterday, Hammond was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award in the entertainment industry at the first in a series of category luncheons at the multimedia house's North Street, Kingston, headquarters.
He was joined by president of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA), Dr Walton Small; Olympic and World 110-metre hurdles champion Omar McLeod; and Minister of Health Dr Christopher Tufton, for the innovative health and wellness initiative, Jamaica Moves. Project manager Laureen Watkis came on behalf of reggae artiste Jamar 'Chronixx' McNaughton, who is away in Kenya.
ISSA received the sports award. The organisation was praised for its role in helping to develop the country's impressive presence in various sporting disciplines, and a launching pad for future star athletes in track and field and football, among others. Known across the world for its signature competition, the Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships, ISSA is a unique organisation, as it is run fully by high-school principals.
McLeod was presented with the sports special award, in recognition of his outstanding achievement in landing gold in the 2016 Rio Olympics, and again at the 2017 London World Championships.
The Jamaica Moves campaign won the award for health and wellness, with Tufton expressing his appreciation.
"This has been a real team effort from the start of this campaign. So to be recognised through this award is pleasing. Jamaica Moves is a very important national cause and I accept this on behalf of the team," said Tufton.
Chronixx earned the entertainment award. His Chronology album was recently nominated for a Grammy Award, as his brand of reggae has seen him charting major hits in the United States, Europe, Canada, and in Africa.