Puma provides sporting equipment to schools
SEVERAL Jamaican high schools have received additional equipment support from the internationally acclaimed brand, Puma.
The project is a planned partnership to assist their track and field athletes to produce more of the outstanding achievements which were evident at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the World Championships in Berlin the following year.
Puma has been sponsoring — in cash and kind — Jamaica’s world level athletes in several sports for a number of years, and this latest initiative was aimed at giving support at the developmental level.
The company’s Jamaica project manager, former athlete Juliet Campbell, travelled to the schools for the presentation and was very impressed with the response.
“It was indeed pleasing to see the different teams assemble for the presentation and hear the athletes and their coaches express their enthusiasm and appreciation for the Puma support. There was clear evidence of a high degree of motivation; it tells me that the future of the country’s track and field is secure,” said Cuthbert.
The first stop was at Wolmer’s, where both the boys’ and girls’ teams received equipment.
On hand to accept were Dr Walton Small and Colleen Montague, the respective principals, and team captains Kamal Fuller and Anna-Kaye Edwards. Head coaches David Riley and Michael Carr were also present.
Jamaica College were next and the Puma gifts were received by principal Ruel Reid, accompanied by the team’s vice-captain Michael Cameron.
In his acceptance speech, Reid said: “This represents several million dollars worth of donation of sporting gear and equipment, which of course is very important to be used by our athletes in preparing for Champs and at Champs…
“This year is a very significant year in Boys Champs… the centenary anniversary… we need to look our best and it is going to be a motivating factor as we try to do as best as we can and try to even win Champs this year.”
The final stop in this first round of activity was at Munro College, where the Puma outfits, footwear and camping equipment were handed over to principal Branford Gayle and team captain Jodi-Rae Blackwood.
Coach Neil Harrison and the school’s World Youth Champs representative Adam Cummings were also in attendance for the handing over.
There are further planned presentations to Calabar High and both boys’ and girls’ teams at St Jago.
