EARLIER this week we applauded the GraceKennedy Group for its consistent, generations-old entrepreneurial enterprise, which has contributed immensely to Jamaica’s growth as a nation.

“…this company is one of the shining jewels in Jamaica’s crown and has been raising the bar on quality, innovation, and service for the past 100 years”, we said in this space.

This newspaper is doubling down on that applause following news of GraceKennedy’s impressive financial support for the 2024 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs) set for the National Stadium in St Andrew later this month.

Title sponsors GraceKennedy will inject $178 million into the world-renowned Champs, arguably the most anticipated event on Jamaica’s sporting calendar.

GraceKennedy Group Chief Executive Officer Mr Don Wehby told his audience at a launch ceremony in midweek that, “Champs continues to be the largest sponsorship in dollars and heart, by far, for the entire GraceKennedy Group…”

As explained by Mr Wehby “…Champs sponsorship is valued at $100 million. Additionally, there will be executions by our Grace Foods, Grace Money Services, and First Global brands — all valued at an additional $78 million.”

He described the partnership with the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) for the staging of Champs as “…a significant investment … and a powerful example of [GraceKenendy’s] commitment to invest in our schools, youth, and our country”. He added that, “Our support for Champs and youth development in Jamaica is unwavering, and will continue for years to come.”

Those who follow closely are well aware that GraceKennedy’s support for school sport is not confined to track and field. Indeed, the survival of struggling schoolboy cricket owes much to GraceKennedy’s sponsorship going back many years.

Of course, in the case of Champs, sponsorship support is not all altruism on GraceKennedy’s part. It actually makes excellent promotional/business sense, given the lofty profile of the legendary schools’ track and field festival.

For as ISSA President Mr Keith Wellington quite justifiably claimed at the launch ceremony, the well over 100-year-old meet has earned an enviable reputation internationally.

And, according to him, “This year’s staging of Champs may well turn out to be akin to the greatest show on earth”.

Said he: “We expect that patrons will be dazzled, not only by the performances of our athletes but … pulsating entertainment off the track …”

Thrills and excitement aside there can be no question that Champs has been a feeder programme, second to none, for Jamaica’s extraordinary success in global track athletics going all the way back to the 1948 Olympics.

As we have repeatedly said here, ISSA commands our respect for its consistency down the years in managing school sports towards greater glory for this country.

Crucially, school leadership down the years has recognised the need to adapt and adjust with changing times.

Among the latest examples is the inclusion of an international start referee, and an international representative to the appeal’s committee, as part of the team of officials at Champs.

As we understand it, the aim is to the strengthen credibility of officiating decisions and reduce the risk of controversy.

Well done, we say.