Olympic bronze medallist Warren Weir is now the new brand ambassador for Jamaica’s largest milk producer Serge Island Dairies.

The announcement was made at an event put on by the company at the National Stadium on Wednesday.

The company also announced that they will pump over $20 million into the inter-primary, preparatory schools’ track and field championships.

The 24-year-old Weir said that this agreement couldn’t have come at a better time.

“The back-breaking training and mental preparation has led to the beginning of success. I know that I have not arrived, I know that there is more that I can and must do, and I understand the responsibility that comes with being a role model,” Weir said.

“Serge Island has done me the honour of requesting that I be their brand ambassador, so I humbly accept. My personal motto is ‘Be the Best that You can be’ and in all its activities, Serge Island urges youth to do exactly that, so we are perfectly aligned,” he added.

He also highlighted that it was a pleasure to be associated with a company whose commitment to youth and to track and field is evident, and he assured the brand that this will be a winning combination.

Weir, a former student at Calabar High, also won a silver medal in the Moscow World Championships last year, and is an athlete of Racers Track Club where he trains alongside Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake, all under the guidance of coach Glen Mills.

Chairman of Seprod Paul Scott outlined that the investment was critical at a time when Jamaica’s economy was reeling, and because of the challenges faced in sustaining these important sports programmes, which are key to youth development.

Beyond that, he said, is the importance of informing the wider populace about the need for balanced nutrition, utilising high-quality milk at affordable prices.

Matthew Samuda, marketing manager of Facey Commodity, which is the exclusive distributor for Seprod, highlighted that the company is committed to promoting youth development through sports and taking on a prominent young Jamaican will augment what they are pushing, therefore reinforcing their commitment to build up Jamaica.

— Sherdon Cowan