Western Union, a subsidiary of GraceKennedy through its “See Champs Live” promotion, is set to fete nine individuals and guests from nine countries across the Diaspora at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Championships at the National Stadium.

Caroline Mahfood, executive director of GraceKennedy Foundation, outlined that the promotion, which has been activated more than six years ago, is one way of giving back to Jamaicans in the Diaspora.

“They are going to bring 18 in total from nine different countries where we have our markets predominantly – United States and Canada and United Kingdom. But some are Caribbean islands as well,” Mahfood explained, while speaking at the Jamaica Observer’s Monday Exchange at the tabloid’s Beechwood Avenue offices yesterday.

“They will be feted all-expense paid, so their airfare and their time at Champs will be completely funded by Western Union and it is just our way of reaching out to the Diaspora.

“We know that people in the Diaspora are very passionate about Champs and so this is our way of giving back to them and pulling them in to be able to come home to enjoy the Champs experience in person,” she added.

The five-day showpiece event is scheduled to commence today, but the winners and their guests will be provided with exclusive travel from their respective countries, hotel accommodation, food and drinks during the period March 17-19.

During their stay, the winners and their guests will be feted by the GraceKennedy Remittance Service (GKRS) Jamaica team. They will tour Kingston, which includes visits to the Tuff Gong Studios and Hope Zoo on Friday and Saturday before partaking in the intensity and excitement of the championships.

The nine winners from Antigua, Barbados, Canada, Cayman, St Kitts, United States, Jamaica among others were selected randomly via remittance transactions to and from Jamaica through Western Union.

However, some of the overseas markets had varying promotions which include radio, social media and direct engagement.

Bakary Gassama, the winner for the Jamaican leg of the competition, has won four (4) grandstand tickets for Saturday in addition to JA$100,000.

GraceKennedy, as title sponsors of the Boys’ and Girls’ Championships, will be spending in excess of $100 million for the event.

– Sherdon Cowan