Western Bureau — A number of schools and community groups in Montego Bay received US$6,000 in sporting equipment this week during a presentation by China’s ambassador to Jamaica, Guo Chongli.

The donated equipment includes tennis tables, paddles and bats, badminton sets and footballs.

Among the recipients were Cornwall College, Herbert Morrison Technical High School, St James High, Montego Bay High School and the Mt Alvernia High School.

The Montego Bay Boys Club, the St James Parish Council Sports Club and the St James Football Association also received a portion of the equipment.

“We have got a number of table tennis boards, we have got a number of badminton sets and we have also got footballs. On behalf of the city of Montego Bay I would like to say to our Chinese friends and especially to the Ambassador that we appreciate and thank you very much for this kind gesture…,” mayor Hugh Solomon said at the presentation ceremony Monday.

“The people of Montego Bay appreciate this kind gesture and will ensure that this is just the beginning of what is to happen between the city of Montego Bay and the people of China…,” he added.

Monday’s presentation was the second of its kind from China to the western city’s community.

During Montego Bay’s city status celebrations last year, the Chinese ambassador made a similar donation of sports equipment to the city.

Meanwhile, charging that “Jamaican young people are very sports-like people,” Ambassador Chongli expressed the hope that the equipment will serve to enhance the island’s athletes. And he pointed to the long-standing relationship between Montego Bay and Jamaica with China and said it was hoped that the relationship would grow from strength to strength.

On May 22 last year, Montego Bay and St James signed friendship agreements with the Chinese city of Hangzou and the province of Zhejiang, thereby paving the way for the sharing of knowledge and expertise in information technology, tourism, agriculture, craft and economics.