THE Canadian High Commission has now placed its name on a list of elite sponsors and partners on board the 104th staging of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships.

The Canadian High Commission’s partnership with Champs will see them operating an exhibit during the meet, which will allow participants to find out about studying in Canada. They will also be awarding a trophy to the most improved school at the meet along with a special briefing to the same school about studying in Canada.

Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica Robert Ready outlined that it was a pleasure to partner with the organising committee, to highlight tertiary education opportunities in his homeland at this year’s event.

“Canada and Jamaica share two common traditions, a love of sport and a thirst for education. These are two areas that have enhanced our excellent bilateral relations for more than 50 years,” he said as he addressed the launch at Television Jamaica studios on Wednesday.

He added: “Several Jamaican athletes have contributed to the pride we feel in Canada when our flag is raised at international events, and at the same time, we are also proud to have more than several public and private professionals study in our educational institutions of distinction.”

Ready promised a special surprise to the school that wins the award and showed his appreciation to the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) and sponsors for the opportunity to partner with them.

“Best wishes to all the high school athletes participating in this year’s event and I look forward to the usual high quality and showmanship which all have come to expect from Champs,” he said.

President of ISSA, Dr Walton Small, told the Jamaica Observer that he is excited about the partnership as it will allow patrons to see what they have to offer in Canada.

“The partnership is to get people to focus on the fact that there are opportunities to study abroad and not just on the sport, so it is mainly an academic move and I am looking forward to a long-term partnership with the commission,” he expressed.

Representatives from title sponsors GraceKennedy Limited and associate sponsors 361 degrees, LIME, Gatorade, TVJ and SportsMax also expressed their excitement about the prestigious five-day meet, which will commence on March 25.