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FLOW Foundation provides $4.2m for schools attending 2018 Penn Relays

Published:Friday | April 20, 2018 | 12:00 AMRobert Bailey/Gleaner Writer
Kenyon Hemans
Executive chairman of the FLOW Foundation, Errol Miller (second left), with student-athletes (from left) De’Jour Russell of Calabar High; Aliyah McDonald, Jada Thomas and Galovielle Gayle of Immaculate Conception High, and Christopher Taylor of Calabar High at a FLOW presentation function on Thursday.

Telecommunications company FLOW, through its foundation, has donated $4.2 million in sponsorship to 30 schools which will attend this month's Penn Relays in the United States.

Errol Miller, executive chairman of the Flow Foundation, made the announcement at his company's corporate office in Kingston on Thursday.

"We looked at all the variables that are involved, sports young people, exposure and the opportunity for them to display their talents on the international stage," said Miller. "I think for us it is all about giving a helping hand to a situation in which it could change the lives of some of these youngsters.

"Almost everything that we do at the FLOW Foundation is geared towards young people, and so it is not just the sports, but there are aspects of our operations that deals with the health sector, and it is all about young people."

In addition to the sponsorship, the FLOW Foundation will also provide each school with a roaming plan during the course of the championships, which is set for April 26-28.

 

Thankful for assistance

 

Michael Dyke, coach of ISSA Girls' Champions Edwin Allen High, hailed the assistance given by Flow.

"I am very excited that Flow has come on board to provide some assistance for the teams going to the Penn Relays, and especially us, because our budget is always limited. So we are happy for this sort of sponsorship," said Dyke.

"We are going there to perform as best as possible and we are aiming to represent the country well. Once the weather treats us well, then hopefully we will be coming back with some good results," Dyke added.

Omar Hawes, assistant coach of ISSA Boys' Champions Calabar High, said they are also very happy for the sponsorship.

"It is a good gesture that we appreciate whole- heartedly. We are grateful to Flow for this sponsorship," said Hawes.

This year, the secondary schools benefiting from this FLOW initiative include:

Ardenne High, Bellefield High, Bridgeport High, Calabar High, Edwin Allen High, Excelsior High, Greater Portmore High, Green Island High, St Catherine High, Kingston College, St Jago High, Jamaica College, Holmwood Technical High, Spalding High, Manchester High, Cornwall College, Munro College, Immaculate Conception High, Herbert Morrison Technical High, Papine High, Greater Portmore High, Hydel High, Rusea's High, Tacious Golding High, Petersfield High, and St Elizabeth Technical High.