Living legend Usain Bolt, in partnership with the Digicel Foundation, handed over a multipurpose court to his hometown, Sherwood Content in Trelawny last Saturday.

The gift also included the levelling of a playing field for football and other field related sporting activities. Funded by the Digicel Foundation to the tune of $4-million, the multipurpose court is yet another example of working for the development of his hometown, and is the first step in Bolt’s plans to revitalise the Sherwood Content Community Centre.

The Bolt Foundation has also been heavily involved in giving back to schools with the purchase of a school bus for Bolt’s alma mater William Knibb, and the donation of playground equipment to four primary schools in Portland.

The new multipurpose court in Trelawny will benefit approximately 1,500 persons in the Sherwood Content community and the surrounding areas. The Social Development Commission, on behalf of the Usain Bolt Foundation, will see to the maintenance of the court and the implementation of a variety of programmes designed to engage youth and community members in sporting activities. The handing-over event took place at the Sherwood Content Community last Saturday.

Bolt and members of the community “christened” the court with a friendly hoop shooting competition. As part of the festivities, Waldensia Primary students also performed a moving cultural item. Bolt is a past student of the school and had previously teamed up with the Digicel Foundation to participate in Labour Day activities at the institution. The hand-over was truly a community affair with persons coming out to share in the moment.

Commenting on the significance of the hand-over, Digicel Foundation Executive Director Samantha Chantrelle said that “the link between sports and development has been seen across the globe. Through sports we engage our youth to learn positive life skills — teamwork, responsibility and how to compete fairly. The Digicel Foundation is very happy to have partnered with the Usain Bolt Foundation in providing the opportunity for young persons in his hometown to learn these skills.”

“It’s a great joy to be able to give back to my community and play my part in creating sporting opportunities for the children. I want to thank Digicel, especially, and all who contributed to making this project a reality,” noted Bolt.