Douglas Orane has worn many hats during his lifetime, but his association with Wolmer’s Boys’ and GraceKennedy make him particularly excited when it comes to the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs).

The still very sprightly 77-year-old, in his school colours of maroon and gold, was in attendance for the five-day championships at National Stadium.

Though he may blend in with the thousands of spectators, Orane’s contribution to the premier high school athletics event is pivotal.

In 2007, as CEO, he pioneered GraceKennedy to become title sponsors of the championships, a partnership that has lasted for 18 years and contributing over close to a billion dollars.

Despite his vision, Orane stays humble, crediting his predecessors for sustaining the growth of Champs.

“I retired 14 years ago, so all of this is due to the younger generation,” he told the Sunday Observer. “I have a lot of praise for Don [Wehby] for building Champs even more over the last decade. Now he’s retired and Frank James is carrying the baton now.

“I love relays, they’re exciting, but relays are important in business as well. You have seamless changes from one CEO to the next and I was so fortunate to make my baton change.”

Orane says the championships is a testament of Jamaica’s pride and joy.

“When I come here, I feel so much better about Jamaica, because when I see our young people so dedicated and disciplined to spend months, nearly a year, to prepare for 10 seconds or whatever their event is, it is so inspiring, so I’m very optimistic about the younger people and they’re an example for other young people.”

Fifteen years ago, Orane was overwhelmed when his former school Wolmer’s Boys’ won the Mortimer Geddes Trophy for the first time since 1956.

He says it’s a moment he’ll never forget.

“I remember the final 4×400 which caused us to win, and it was so exciting up to the last race,” he said. “I can’t explain to you how joyful it was.

“But what I found most impressive was that Wolmer’s won with a team with 35 athletes, competing against schools with hundreds of athletes. There was this camaraderie that really made the difference, you could see it. There was the famous photograph of [Julian Forte] and [Dwayne Extol] that was amazing.”

Since then, the “Boys from Heroes Circle” have produced top performances but haven’t come close to topping the likes of Kingston College, Calabar, and Jamaica College for the title.

However, Orane remains optimistic that they’ll end their drought in the coming years.

“All things are possible, so, therefore, I believe it’s very doable,” he said. “Like everything else in life, you have to plan for it, prepare, be dedicated and focused and it will happen.”

ORANE…when I come here, I feel so much better about Jamaica because when I see our young people so dedicated and disciplined to spend months, nearly a year to prepare for 10 seconds or whatever their event is (Garfield Robinson)