$200M PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE

Frank James, group chief executive officer of GraceKennedy, says his company will be investing a total of $202 million in the staging of this year’s ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs).

The highly anticipated five-day championships will take place from March 24–28 at the National Stadium.

James said that the investment represents a combination of direct sponsorship and brand support from several GraceKennedy subsidiaries.

“This year, our primary sponsorship is valued at $108 million, and when you add the brand execution from Grace Foods, GraceKennedy Money Services and First Global Bank, that represents an additional $94 million in support, totalling $202 million invested in Champs,” said James, during yesterday’s press launch of the marquee high school track and field event at the National Arena in Kingston.

He added that his company continues to make significant investment because of its strong belief in the transformative power of sports.

“We made this investment because we believe deeply in the power of sports to change lives, to open doors, to uplift communities, and to change Jamaica for the better,” he added.

James highlighted that this year’s championships will be missing several schools from western Jamaica that were heavily impacted by Hurricane Melissa last October.

“Today we feel the absence of several schools from our western parishes. The impact of Hurricane Melissa has been significant and for some schools, making it to Champs this year simply was not possible,” he said.

He extended encouragement to the affected institutions and expressed hope that they will return stronger next year.

“To the students, coaches and families in western Jamaica who are not with us this year, please know that your presence will be deeply missed. Strength in the face of adversity is the true mark of a champion, and we look forward to seeing your colours returning to the track in 2027.”

As part of its support, James also announced a special incentive for schools from western Jamaica in celebration of GraceKennedy’s anniversary.

“As we celebrate GraceKennedy’s 104th anniversary this year, we will be providing a special award of $104,000 to any student from a western school who wins a final at this year’s championships,” he said.

GraceKennedy has been the title sponsor of the championships since 2007, and James said the event remains one of the most exciting periods on Jamaica’s sporting calendar.

“It is always a special time of year when Champs comes around. The energy in Jamaica just changes when Champs is on. It is a truly national event that brings together the very best of our Jamaican athletes, while capturing the attention of the entire world.

“For five exciting days, the spirit of Champs energises our entire country and reminds us of the remarkable talent, pride and determination that exist across Jamaica,” he added.

Meanwhile, President of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association, Keith Wellington, said this year’s championships will carry even greater significance as the country continues to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Melissa.

“The 2026 ISSA Boys and Girls’ Championships marks another opportunity for Jamaica’s best high school track and field athletes to showcase to the world the island’s finest tradition of excellence and the championships’ legacy of producing future world-beaters,” Wellington said.

“This year’s championships, like that of the 2021 edition, will be of a significance far greater than the usual sporting and cultural importance associated with Champs.”

Wellington pointed out that ISSA was pleased that more than 25 schools that were severely impacted by the hurricane have made the effort to ensure their student-athletes can still participate.

He also highlighted Wednesday, March 25, as a key day of the championships and announced a fundraising initiative to support affected schools.

“On that day we will display our fastest athletes in high school, the semi-finals and final of the 100 metres and the final of the 1500 metres,” he said.

“We believe we should use that opportunity as a country to provide whatever support we can to these schools, who have made the effort to rise again.

“At ISSA, we have decided that the funds raised from tickets sold for the bleachers on that day will go towards direct contributions to the western schools,” said Wellington.