IN a spirited talk with student-athletes from the defending champions Hydel High School track and field team, sprint legend and Digicel ambassador Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce urged them to embody a winning mindset even as they face a spirited battle from former champions and pre-Champs favourites Edwin Allen.

Hydel is in a battle to retain the title they took from Edwin Allen last year, with the school from Frankfield, Clarendon, set to pounce.

But Fraser-Pryce — in a motivational message delivered days before the start of the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships now under way at National Stadium — urged the Hydel team to, “Celebrate your moment for what it is. Last year, you won, and you feel good about the accomplishment, but there’s more to achieve. So now that you have tasted victory, aim to taste some more.”

The iconic sprinter cautioned the eager Hydel athletes to note that every season is different, so they must put in the work and then get on to the track or field and remind themselves that, “I want to win again.”

“It means you must do more. What you have done is shown people that you’re here and you can do it,” said Fraser-Pryce.

The school visit was part of a series of pre-Champs pep talks with student-athletes which were staged by Digicel, the official telecommunications partner for the 2024 championships.

Fraser-Pryce also reminded the Hydel youngsters that their sacrifices will finally yield rewards at the championships.

“Next week [now] is where the early mornings or late evenings matter. It’s the time for any of you who came fourth last year to improve. For those of you who came third or missed the finals by a second, next week is where it matters,” added Fraser-Pryce as the Hydel team prepared for the difficult task of retaining their title.

While she added that the athletes ought to believe in their abilities, Fraser-Pryce said: “Every line that I have stepped to, I already believed I deserved to be there because I worked for it, and that’s how I approach things. That’s the mindset you should have when you go out there. What matters is what you do on the track or field.”

The Digicel brand ambassador also presented 18-year-old Hydel athlete Abigail Campbell with a laptop, courtesy of Digicel, to complete her school-based assessments.

The 400-metre favourite acknowledged that the donation will go a far way on the academic side: “Thank you, a lot. I really appreciate this laptop to help me complete my studies, and on behalf of my team, we’re going to do our best,” said Campbell.

In the meantime, Digicel Business Brand Manager Chevon Lewis, who was present at the session, reinforced the importance of supporting the nation’s young sporting talents.

“Today’s session was a testament to our dedication in providing support wherever and whenever we can. The Digicel team believes in affirming ambition, and we are happy to be providing support to ensure the success of this year’s boys’ and girls’ Champs,” said Lewis.

He added that Digicel’s major sponsorship of the ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships reaffirms its long-standing commitment to moving Jamaica’s talents ‘From Grassroots to Greatness’ through sports development and education.