MONTEGO BAY, St James – Four of Jamaica’s western-based high schools can breathe a sigh of relief as telecommunications provider, Digicel, have stepped in to provide support for their Penn Relays team.

Listed as of the oldest track and field meet in the USA thousands of high school and collegiate athletes from across the world will converge at the University of Pennsylvania at Franklin Field in Philadelphia to compete in various athletic meets this weekend.

Last Thursday, the Petersfield, Rusea’s, Green Island and Herbert Morrison high schools each received a cheque for $150,000 which will be used to offset travel, accommodation and nutrition costs for their contingent of athletes.

According to Digicel’s senior sponsorship and development manager, Kamal Powell, this is a part of our continued commitment to supporting and developing youth athletics in Jamaica.

Rodrick Miles, coach of the Rusea’s High School, which will be sending a nine-member contingent to the relays, said “this sponsorship is filling a big gap for us because as you can imagine going to the Penn relays isn’t a cheap thing. So, I really want to thank Digicel for supporting not just us, but schools across the island in a real way, especially with other programmes such as the MVP clinic and the Grand Prix. These are investments that are real and give direct benefit to the schools and the athletes”. Rusea’s will be participating in the girls 4x100m, 4x400m, high jump and triple jump.

Rodrick Miles, coach of the Rusea’s High School, which will be sending a nine-member contingent to the relays, said “this sponsorship is filling a big gap for us because as you can imagine going to the Penn relays isn’t a cheap thing. So, I really want to thank Digicel for supporting not just us, but schools across the island in a real way, especially with other programmes such as the MVP clinic and the Grand Prix. These are investments that are real and give direct benefit to the schools and the athletes”. Rusea’s will be participating in the girls 4x100m, 4x400m, high jump and triple jump.

In addition to the shot put Petersfield will also be competing in the boys 4x100m, 4×400, 4x800m and discus; while for the female they will be competing in the discus.

As for Herbert Morrison Technical, they are looking to have high jumper Sashane Hanson, who won bronze at the 2014 Penn Relays, to continue her winning ways this year. “Sashane is jumping much better this year and is far healthier, so we are expecting good results from her,” commented Claude Grant, coach of the track team. Digicel has supported an additional six schools outside of the western-based insititions, bringing the total sponsorship to $1.5 million.