Go for Gold raffle rakes in $20m for JOA

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Mike Fennell, president of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), says Supreme Ventures Foundation's donation of $20 million to the country's Olympic team ahead of next month's London Games is timely.

The donation, which came about as a result of a 'Go for Gold' fund-raising raffle held by the Supreme Ventures Foundation, took place during a joint press conference yesterday at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

"This is very, very good and important and will go a long way in helping us properly prepare for the Olympics," said Fennell.

"We have other sponsors who have been on board as sponsors of the JOA for the past four years, but they (Supreme Ventures) have come on board for the Olympics and their contribution is by far the largest," he added.

The Go for Gold raffle represents Supreme Ventures Foundation's first project since being established in April.

It saw members of the public buying a Go for Gold ticket in hope of winning prizes, while making a contribution to the country's Olympic dreams.

"The Supreme Ventures Foundation is extremely proud about undertaking the Go for Gold fund-raising raffle," said chairman of the foundation, Dr David McBean.

"We are sure our contribution to the JOA will assist in the success of our athletes participating in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

"A special thank you to all the persons who have contributed to the raffle by purchasing a ticket, and congratulations to all Go for Gold winners, and specifically those who will be travelling to London to watch the Games," he continued.

The raffle produced six grand-prize winners, all of whom will attend the Games, which will get going on July 27 and is slated to end on August 12.

Supreme Ventures Foundation joined Digicel, Puma, National Commercial Bank, Singer, Supreme Ventures Limited and China Harbour Engineering as sponsors of the JOA's Olympic programme.