After title sponsor GraceKennedy (GK) committed $202 million to this year’s ISSA Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs), Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frank James says the group is prepared to continue its long-term investment after seeing the resilience of the schools in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

At the launch of the March 24 to 28 championships on Wednesday at the National Arena in Kingston, GK revealed that their primary sponsorship is valued at $108 million with their various brand execution worth an additional $94 million, marking one of their biggest investments since their initial involvement in 2007.

Close to 30 schools from western Jamaica are set to compete at Champs despite still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Melissa which caused significant damage last October.

James told the Jamaica Observer that GK’s sponsorship meant more this year given the circumstances the island is facing.

“Champs is important to us every year but when you see a situation where our country needs that type of unity that sports brings, needs that togetherness, which as I have been saying is of course stronger than any hurricane, then it became even more meaningful for us to contribute to Champs,” he said.

“When you see the fact that the schools in the West are coming out then you know that if they can step up to the plate, then we must also step up to the plate and support them. So this was a very important year for us to be a part of Champs. We’re always here, always supporting, but it’s particularly meaningful when we know that this is really going to invest in building the future and in supporting those of our brothers and sisters who were impacted seriously by Hurricane Melissa.”

James also revealed that as part of GK’s 104th anniversary, $104,000 will be given to students from western schools who win gold medals in any of the 88 events.

At a time when several top sporting events are finding it difficult to attract sponsorship, James says the decision to support the high school championships came without hesitation.

“Champs is our single largest investment, not just in Jamaica, but globally. So we’re very pleased to make that investment because it honours those who have gone before but it also starts to help to build those who are going to represent us in the future,” he said.

“Our former group chairman and CEO many years ago, Carlton Alexander, said what is good for Jamaica is good for GraceKennedy and we have continued to live that mantra. So we believe that Champs is good for Jamaica and so it’s good for GraceKennedy so we will continue to invest.”

James says he’s expecting a great championships despite the challenges schools and ISSA have faced recently.

“I give kudos to ISSA, the level of organisation and coordination is excellent. So what we’re expecting is a world class athletic event like none other because that’s what Champs has always represented,” he said. “And we’re expecting from the student-athletes professionalism, sportsmanship and really giving their entire heart out there.”

“The exciting thing about Champs is that each year we continue to break records, we continue to see new stars that we didn’t know about and we continue to get great, pleasant surprises so we’re looking forward to the energy of Champs, looking forward to some great records being broken and looking forward to seeing the future athletes that are going to be representing us on the world stage.”

ISSA President Keith Wellington says the championships has grown exponentially due to the efforts of former Grace CEO Don Wehby, who passed away last July.

“We again say thanks to our title sponsors, GraceKennedy for their continued commitment to the development of Jamaica’s youth and their families through sports. The financial outlay provided by Grace is a clear indication of the value and confidence they have in the Champs product,” said Wellington.

“Champs 2026 will mark the first year in decades without the presence and contribution of Don Wehby — and that’s not true because what is here is his contribution. So, I wish to use this opportunity to again acknowledge his significant contribution to [its] development.”

From left: ISSA President Keith Wellington, Western Union CEO Margaret Campbell, Sport Minister Olivia Grange and GraceKennedy Group CEO Frank James hold the symbolic cheque during the 2026 ISSA GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships launch at National Arena on March 10. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)