Francis Invit’l Meet on despite shortfall

BY HOWARD WALKER Observer senior reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com

Friday, February 10, 2012

DESPITE a shortfall of $200,000, the second staging of the Ben Francis Invitational Athletic Meet set for February 18 at Vere Technical was launched at the Pegasus Hotel yesterday.

Richard Bowen of Laribo Marketing and a Ben Francis Invitational committee member, told the Observer that the meet overhead is $1.2 million.

“We have 16 sponsors; however, we are still short $200,000 and are still talking to several other sponsors,” said Bowen.

This year, Vere Technical, which has the distinction of producing 49 Olympians and World Championship representatives, will honour Deon Hemmings-McCatty, the 1996 Atlanta Olympics 400 metres hurdles gold medallist.

Hemmings-McCatty, is a Vere alumni and Jamaica’s first female Olympic champion.

The organising committee revealed that future meets will be used to recognise Vere Tech’s standouts such as Merlene Ottey, Veronica Campbell Brown, Aleen Bailey, Michael McDonald and others.

Bowen also noted that the meet, which is approved by the Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association (JAAA), will be one of a few remaining that is a qualifier for Boys and Girls Championships.

The meet is scheduled to run off at 9:00 am. There will be six championship events which will attract a reward of $40,000 to the winning school of each event.

These are boys 4x100m Class One, 400m Class One and 2,000m steeple chase Open; and girls 4x400m Open, 200m Class One and high jump Class One.

Patria-Kaye Aarons, communication and public relations manager of GraceKennedy Remittance Group, congratulated Ben Francis and the precedence he set for Vere.

“He has instilled in them the mantra, if you are going to do something, be the best at it; not just the best in Jamaica, be the best in the world,” noted Aarons.

“It is this mantra that has allowed a school of 51 years to produce 50 Olympians and world champions. That is magical! This year, GraceKennedy is joining the Vere train with our Grace Foods and Western Union brands. Get ready for an exciting ride,” she added.

Donnette Dixon, Stewart’s Hardware and Home Centre’s marketing manager, said her company was privileged to have enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with Vere Technical.

Said Dixon: “We’re even more privileged to have shared some of the memories of this noble institution. The school’s achievements are well known and I would be standing here for quite some time, if I were to mention all the famous professionals, scholars, sportsmen and sportswomen who are products...”

She added: “Equally long would the list of Stewart’s Hardware employees who are past students of Vere. Our presence here as a sponsor is not by chance. We have consciously sought to align ourselves with an institution that epitomises strength and quality. Like Vere Technical, we can say we have come a far way and we are very happy to be here.”

Simone Mahabeer, Singer’s marketing manager, also endorsed the event. “At Singer Jamaica we firmly believe that track and field is a powerful force that is responsible for taking our country in the right direction.

“This is why over the many years we have sponsored, and will continue to sponsor, the different developmental and national meets such as the Douglas Forrest, Youngster Goldsmith, Queen’s/Grace Jackson, UWI meet, Gibson Relays and Boys and Girls Champs, Jamaica Invitational and National trials.

“These are the events that act as a launch pad, training and developing the talents of our athletes and preparing them for the big stage,” he said.

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Francis Invit’l Meet on despite shortfall