LOS ANGELES, United States — Digicel Chairman Denis O’Brien was not on hand to receive it personally, but it was with much fanfare that Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ) Executive Director Lorna Bell made a presentation to the boss of the telecoms giant at a welcome reception at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel here on Friday.

The token — a collage predominantly laced with Jamaica Observer newspaper articles and photographs — was a representation of Digicel’s extensive work in providing huge impetus to the Special Olympic programmes in Jamaica.

It was handed to John Delves, the regional chief executive officer for Digicel’s markets in Trinidad & Tobago, French West Indies, Suriname, and Barbados. He represented O’Brien.

The Digicel boss was said to be absent due to company board meetings.

“The token is to show our appreciation to Dennis O’Brien because of how much he and Digicel have helped Jamaica’s programme,” Bell told OBSERVER ONLINE.

The SOJ delegation is in Los Angeles for the Special Olympics World Summer Games. Competition is set to begin on Sunday, while the Games officially end on August 2.

Sanjay Myers