PM Portia Simpson-Miller : 'We can't afford to miss the boat!'....Jamaica would be able to declare that we had the fastest man in the world — Asafa Powell, and then yet another even faster, Usain Bolt. We would enjoy the rocket runs of Veronica Campbell Brown and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is intrigued by
the packaging of Buzz Honey Wine while visiting the
EcoFarms booth — which included a beehive
Monday, April 07, 2014 
WE saw Jamaican excellence on show at our National Stadium and National Arena over the past two weeks. It was probably about 2002 that the late Teddy McCook was discussing his favourite topic: The promise of young Jamaican athletes. "If you could see the times these youngsters are doing now, you would get a headache," he told us. In quick succession after that, Jamaica would be able to declare that we had the fastest man in the world — Asafa Powell, and then yet another even faster, Usain Bolt. We would enjoy the rocket runs of Veronica Campbell Brown and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
As we consider some of the records broken at the recent ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys' and Girls' Championships, we see that Jamaica continues to hold her own. Our high school relay teams are the fastest in their age cohort in the world. After Calabar's Javon Francis broke the Class One 400-metre record, set by Usain Bolt 11 years ago, subtracting .35 seconds to take it to 45 seconds, the legendary Bolt himself tweeted: "Jamaica's track future is in good hands... Congrats #JavonFrancis breaking class one 400m record #champs2014 #future #45sec."
The packed stands, the professional execution of the event, and the obvious dedication of the coaches showed us where the country can achieve if only we would decide to take the option of professionalism and diligence over cunning short-cuts. Special congratulations to Calabar's Michael Clarke, regarded as the most successful Champs coach. I suggest the JAAA and the JTB join to start a "Run with a Jamaican" summer promotion; high school children from all over the world would flock here! more

No comments:

Post a Comment