The winners of the JADCO 2018-2019 Jingle Competition were awarded at the sixth annual Junior Athletes Anti-Doping Education Workshop held at Jamaica Conference Centre (JCC) on Wednesday.

Kimalie Hylton, a sixth form student of Bridgeport High School, received the top prize of $40,000 and a trophy, Kristen Lewis of Belmont Academy walked away with $30,000 and a trophy for placing second in the competition, and Marviann Ellis, Dwayne Wright, Romario Henry, and Howie Collash all of Winston Jones High School received $25,000 and trophies for placing third.

The competition ran from October 3, 2018 to April 26, 2019 and was designed to increase awareness of JADCO’s role in the fight against doping in sport within secondary schools and by extension, the public. The competition engaged secondary school students islandwide in a contest which enabled them to demonstrate their musical talents.

Speaking at the workshop, the winner of the 2018-2019 JADCO Jingle Competition, Kimalie Hylton said, “It feels good to be a winner. I am quite used to it as an athlete because I attend track meets. However, this feeling is different, it seems more major and it feels good. I have learnt a lot from attending the Junior Athletes Anti-Doping Education Workshop over the past five years. I have obtained the Prohibited List which has made me more careful in choosing the things that I eat. Good job JADCO.”

Jermaine Hamilton, coach at Brigdeport High School, shared similar sentiments. “I feel very elated to know that Kimalie came here and won the jingle competition even though there was never any doubt because we know that he is a big-time performer. I hope that this will further boost him in his athletic career. He is a very intelligent young man who holds a high academic performance so we had no doubt in his victory.”

Speaking at the workshop, executive director of JADCO, June Spence-Jarrett congratulated the winners and commended all the contestants for their efforts. “I must take this opportunity to commend and acknowledge all participants in the competition. Your entries have demonstrated your awareness of JADCO and knowledge of anti-doping.”

Over 180 junior athletes and their support personnel from schools located in Kingston and St Andrew, St Thomas, and St Catherine participated in the workshop. Participants were provided with values-based education, as well as information on the role and responsibilities of JADCO and the doping control process. Dr Brian Kazaara, a representative from the Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association also delivered a presentation on the Health Consequences of Doping. The commission will host three additional workshops during the month of October at the Golf View Hotel in Manchester this Wednesday, the SeaGardens Hotel in St James next week Wednesday, and at The Cardiff Hotel and Spa in St Ann on Wednesday, October 23.