GRACE Foods is set to assist the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) with nutritional support, according to GraceKennedy Group chief executive officer (CEO) Don Wehby.

Speaking at Monday’s luncheon to honour the unprecedented achievements of the Junior Bennett-coached Jamaica senior team, Wehby said that he has already discussed the partnership with Grace’s global brand manager Anthony Lawrence and stressed the importance of good nutrition for performance athletes.

“This morning (Monday) I spoke with the global brand manager Tony Lawrence, indicating to him that GraceKennedy would like to have discussions with the cricket association to see how we can get involved in terms of offering nutritional support to the Jamaica cricket team.

“We have done it for the track and field team, we have done it for the football team and I believe it is important for the cricket team,” he said at GraceKennedy’s Harbour Street headquarters.

Grace Foods supported the Reggae Boyz World Cup 1998 campaign and are also committed in sponsoring the Jamaican track and field team to the 2012 London Olympics.

“We want to provide the cricketers with that nutritional support. We have our nutritionist Heather Little-Whyte who can coach them in proper nutrition. I am hoping that we can reach a position on that,” Wehby added.

JCA president Lyndel Wright, obviously elated at Wehby willingness to help the financially-strapped association, said he is keen to tie up a partnership.

“We are extremely happy and we really appreciate Grace coming forward to provide this level of assistance to us. We are looking forward to having talks. It (the nutrition programme) should go a far way because cricketers, as do all sports persons, need to have the right diet so that they can perform,” Wright said.

Jamaica’s skipper Tamar Lambert, dubbed ‘Captain Marvelous’ due to his shrewd decisions in leading the team to a historic fifth consecutive win in the regional four-day tournament, thanked GraceKennedy for feting the cricketers and remained modest in the face of all the afternoon’s commendations.

“It is a pleasure being appreciated by Grace. It is a lot of hard work that we have put in. I don’t want to take all the credit for myself because my team mates have done a wonderful job. Most of these players have been together since 1996 and we’ve been close like a (traditional) family living together. Congrats to them,” Lambert said.

The 30-year-old showed his insatiable appetite for success with a word of warning for his opponents next season.

“I always want to win because winning motivates me. Next year the Jamaican supporters should expect nothing different. I’m going out to win six straight championships!” he assured.