Digicel gives tuition boost to St Jago 4x100m Champs winners

As participating athletes in the recently concluded ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships return to the classroom, six St Jago High runners who were members of the winning Class Three girls’ 4x100-metre relay team have received a $150,000 tuition boost, courtesy of the event’s exclusive communications partner, Digicel.

The funds, which will go towards closing any existing tuition gaps, forms part of Digicel’s long-standing dedication to nurturing young talent in athletics, better known as its ‘Grassroots to Greatness’ project.

Making the official handover to the team on Saturday at the National Stadium, Tari Lovell, Digicel’s chief marketing officer, reaffirmed the digital operator’s commitment: “Digicel is deeply committed to supporting our student athletes on the track, field, and in the classroom. We recognise the importance for our athletes to maintain a beneficial balance between education and sports, and we’re always looking for ways to support them in this regard.”

In the preliminary round of the Class Three 4x100m, St Jago’s team, consisting of Rihanna Anderson, Adora Campbell, Shannia Campbell and Trecia-Ann Grant, showcased their speed and skill amid smooth baton changes along the National Stadium track. They were the only team in the class to go below 47 seconds, clocking an impressive 46.35. Anderson and Campbell were replaced by Shavone Williams and Martina Parkes, who helped to deliver a spectacular win at the final.

Lovell remarked, “As a brand that was born in Jamaica, we understand how important it is for us to throw our support behind the world’s biggest high school athletics championship. It’s an opportunity for us to celebrate more of what’s good about Jamaica, and to promote the value of teamwork, resilience, and discipline among our young people.”

Lovell also recalled that the prowess of sprint legends and Digicel brand ambassadors Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Usain Bolt also started out at Champs and have since had impressive track careers, while flying Jamaica’s flag high on the world stage. Their inspirational success stories continue to propel Digicel to support Jamaica’s next generation of champions in the sport.