Express Canteen, Wisynco give Hydel Champs boost

Express Canteen expanded its philanthropic works among its partner of institutions by teaming up with Wisynco Group to sponsor the Hydel Group of Schools’ preparation for the hugely anticipated 2020 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships, that will be staged from March 24 to 28 at the National Stadium.

Concessionaire of the Ferry-based institution’s eatery, Express Canteen, will provide for the members of the school’s track and field team valued at $300,000 under the agreement, which also received the backing of beverage manufacturers and distributors, Wisynco, mainly through its WATA and Powerade products.

This latest effort of giving back by Express Canteen follows swiftly on the heels of its lead role in a partnership deal for the recent staging of the Rapid Chess Tournament, which was hosted by Mona Preparatory at Hope United Church, merely a fortnight ago.

Ryan Foster, chairman, Express Canteen, underlined their belief in helping the development of their stakeholders.

“Express Canteen is pleased to have been able to sponsor Hydel for this upcoming Boys and Girls’ Championships. Corporate philantrophy through sport is one of the avenues through which we partner with our key stakeholders. Hydel has done tremendously well and we hope this year with our sponsorship of $300,000 that this will assist them in going one step further than last year and win the Girls Championship,” Foster said.

“We consider ourselves not just a meal provider in schools, but one of the key stakeholders in the effective operation of a school. We believe in our motto: ‘Feed your Dreams’,” Foster affirmed.

Hydel, whose track and field programme is guided by head coach and sporting director of the Group of Schools, Corey Bennett, were runners-up at Champs 2019, finishing a mere seven points adrift champions Edwin Allen High, who accumulated 219 points to Hydel’s 284.

Foster, who is also CEO and general secretary of the island’s apex body for sports, the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), noted their achievements and wished them well for Champs, where they will be fielding a male and female team.

“Coach Bennett has been doing exceptionally well at both the preparatory level as well as at the high school level, and we are proud to be their nutritional partner within the school. Express Canteen wishes the girls all the best in the upcoming championship, and we will be rooting for them as well as Immaculate Conception High and St Hugh’s High (other Express Canteens partners) as they participate in the upcoming championships,” he said.

Melissa Lue Yen, Wisynco Group Limited’s food service business manager, said they were glad to assist in boosting the team’s Champs preparation.

“Hydel is just around the corner from our offices so we’re happy to partner with Express Canteen to support the Hydel Group of Schools with some beverages and hydration for training,” said Lue Yen, a former Jamaica squash representative.

The Hydel Group of Schools’ training grounds are located at Caymanas Estate, and Bennett, who along with his coaching staff was busy putting his athletes through their paces, took time out to express appreciation to their sponsors.

“Normally, we would come to training and we have a standpipe over there and that is the extent of our rehydration,” Bennett said with a laugh, pointing to the drinking area on the sidelines. “So this is more than welcome. Wisynco, through its WATA brand, has come on board and it’s really a surprise for us. Most things were engineered through Mr Foster, and we’re really thankful for the very expensive gesture in terms of the value to us.”