JUTC rolls out buses for Champs winners
THE Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) officially handed over buses to 2014 Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships winners Calabar High and Edwin Allen High yesterday.
At the ceremony held at the transport company’s corporate office in Twickenham Park, St Catherine, Collin Campbell, managing director, said the bus assigned to each school will aid in transporting athletes to and from competition venues. While praising the “dedicated drivers” of the JUTC, he said the combined value of the service to the two institutions, which he estimated at $5 million, provides “real incentive” for schools to win the championships.
Dr Omar Davies, the minister of transport, works and housing, was pleased that the bus entity, for a second consecutive year, is the carrier for the Boys’ and Girls’ Champs winners, and he expressed endorsement for anything that serves to enhance the image of JUTC.
JUTC Chairman Garnett Roper urged the youngsters in attendance from both schools to be ambitious and to make discipline and efficiency become a part of who they are.
Edwin Allen Principal Everton Walters said he is impressed with the “kind gesture” of “considering schools who have done well” at Champs and declared profound thanks to the JUTC.
Calabar’s Class Two athlete Christopher Taylor, who is expected to compete in the 200-metre and 400-metre individual events at the Boys’ and Girls’ Championships, felt the transportation boost is a much-welcome one.
“I think it can help my teammates and I and motivate us to win the Championships again so we have the bus to take us around,” said the 15-year-old sensation.
Garth Gayle, the general secretary of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association, said it warms his heart that the arrangement for the JUTC to provide privileged service for the champions has been extended.
Gayle, who is also principal of Charlie Smith High, added that he fully understands the burden schools have of funding the various sport programmes.
The 2015 edition of the high school athletics championships will run from March 24-28.
Michael Dyke is the head coach of Edwin Allen, while Calabar is guided by Michael Clarke.
— Sanjay Myers
