AFTER nearly 30 years of hosting Jamaican athletes and guests in their “signature Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB) tent” at the Penn Relays Carnival, operations for this year’s staging will move to the famous Palestra, the home of several other sports at the University of Pennsylvania.

A release from Team Jamaica Bickle this week announced the move that will see their base of operations moved significantly closer to Franklin Field where the track and jumps competitions are held.

TJB — a US-based, not-for-profit organisation founded in 1994 — has fed and assisted with accommodations for delegations to the Penn Relays, not just from Jamaica but also other Caribbean territories over the years.

“Coming off a very successful return to the Penn Relays last year, one that included official honoured guest Prime Minister Andrew Holness, efforts are underway for TJB 29,” the release said.

“This year TJB will celebrate female student athletes as they take centre stage on the Saturday at the relays. They also welcome back in full support Caribbean Foods Delight, their partner, who celebrates 45 years in business,” it went on.

TJB provides a wide range of services in the development and care of the athletes and coaches at the Penn Relays through their Hospitality Initiative Program — providing meals, physical therapy, chiropractic care, mentorship, medical services, and ground transportation, as well as being forefront in negotiating subsidised hotel rates for the athletes and coaches. Team Jamaica Bickle’s founder and CEO Irwine Clare shares that “in excess of US$150,000 has to be raised” to assure that athletes, the ambassadors, are treated well, the release also said.

Up to last year when the Penn Relays Carnival resumed after a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Palestra hosted meet officials and accredited media members.

The venue has a storied history and has been referred to as “the Cathedral of College Basketball, is a historic arena, and the home gym of the Penn Quakers men’s and women’s basketball teams, volleyball teams, wrestling team, and Philadelphia Big 5 basketball”, according to the University of Pennsylvania website.