Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Sutherland - File

THE 2007 Island Games, dubbed the 'Caribbean against United States', will be more than just a competition as it will also be used as fund-raiser to assist two Jamaican charities.

The event, set for tomorrow at the Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale, New York, will also involve a 5km road race.

Island Games President Patrick Payne said the road race will be used to support former Jamaican Olympians and the G.C. Foster College.

"We are supporting two charities, the association of Jamaican Olympians and the G.C. Foster College," Payne said.

The aim is to provide heath coverage for some of the ailing ex-Olympians and help with the hurdles and swimming pool at G.C. Foster College.

Payne said he was concerned about the pool at the college, which has not been used for more than 20 years.

"The other day I was there and learnt that the swimming pool has not been open for some 20 years," he said of the facility, which was blessed with $5 million by the Sports Development Foundation.

Lucozade has also committed to help support the venture at the college, which prepares students for a teaching career in physical education.

"They are short for the balance and that's what I want to challenge the community here to come behind and support," added Payne.

Payne also said his committee would be instituting a scholar athlete award.

"It's not just running. It's a scholar athlete. They must combine the two skills because we want to encourage students to use athletics to develop their professional ambition," he said.

Meanwhile, senior team representative Sonita Sutherland of G.C. Foster College, and junior 100m record holder Yohan Blake of St. Jago head the list of Jamaicans set to depart today.

Sutherland, who won back-to-back 400m silvers at the 2004 and 2006 World Junior Championships, along with gold in the mile relay at the 2005 CAC Championships, Carl Barrett, Alodin Fothergill and Rose-Marie White are the senior athletes from G.C. Foster College who will make the trip.

Squad

Girls: Schillone Calvert, Anastacia Le-Roy, Bobby Gaye Wilkins, Andrea Reid, Deborah Rose, Tanishia Blair (Holmwood); Keneisha Thorosingh (Vere); Marvel Lewin, Andrea Sutherland (Edwin Allen); Latoya King, Taneisha Baker, Shanique Smikle, Sashakaye Matthias, Jonique Day, Samantha Woodburn (St Jago); Shanekia Hall (St Hugh's); Claudia Calder (Alpha).

Boys: Yohan Blake, Nickeal Ashmeade, Ryker Hylton, Andre Walsh, Andre Wise, Adolphus Nevers (St. Jago); Warren Weir, Andre Thomas, Jason Livermore, Oshane Bailey, Rowan Gooden, Nicholas Gordon, Germaine Garfield and Ramone McKenzie (Calabar); Reynaldo Rose, Lorenzo Johnson (Camperdown); Darion Bent (Manning's); Dexter Lee (Herbert Morrison (Morrison); Theo O'Connor (Campion), Kirkland Smith (Claude McKay); Kenoy Campbell (Bellefield); Kerion Stewart, Andre Peart (KC), Julian Reid, Julian Reid (Wolmer's), Ramon Birch (JC); Odayne Richards (St George's) and Brian Omar (Munroe).