The 2018 staging of the Digicel 5K Night Run for Special Needs was fittingly launched with the declaration from Digicel Jamaica CEO Justin Morin of “accepting the challenge, making a pledge and passing it on”.

As the theme suggests, Morin made a personal pledge of $50,000 to the cause before challenging Digicel ambassadors Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Tifa to make a pledge and encourage others to do the same.

Similar to the ‘Ice Bucket challenge’, those nominated are expected to ‘Accept’ the challenge within the coming days and ‘Make’ a donation, while nominating others to do the same, thereby creating a viral wave of #Digicel5K pledges across social media.

Through this initiative along with the 5K Night Run scheduled for October 6 at 7:00 pm, the telecommunications firm is seeking to raise funds for special needs organisations.

The details were announced at the launch at Digicel’s headquarters in downtown Kingston last Friday.

Digicel, partnering with Running Events Jamaica, are hoping to attract well over 13,000 participants for this year’s staging of the event as they aim to better the $5 million raised last year. The pledge campaign is expected to add impetus to this charge and Digicel is encouraging everyone to support the cause by pledging or come out and enjoy a fun night of healthy activities.

Besides fund-raising, the event also helps to raise awareness of the issues faced by the special needs community, with the goal of promoting the acceptance and inclusion of persons with special needs, while supporting their drive for independence.

The Community Based Rehabilitation Programme, Early Stimulation Programme, Jamaica Association on Intellectual Disabilities, Jamaica Autism Support Association, Jamaica Down’s Syndrome Foundation, Jamaica Society for the Blind and the Promise Learning Centre are this year’s beneficiaries.

Proceeds from the event will be used to make necessary infrastructural and developmental upgrades, providing scholarships for needy students, getting the necessary specialised training for teachers and caregivers and addressing other needs specific to each organisation.

Jean Lowrie-Chin, chairperson of the Digicel Foundation Jamaica, also made a personal pledge of $50,000, noting that “the joy is incomparable, when special needs individuals with the right education and therapy become independent and the self-reliant”.

State Minister in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment Sport Alando Terrelonge, representing Olivia Grange, was pleased to endorse the event, stating that Digicel “has epitomized the concept of corporate social responsibility in Jamaica since arriving in 2001.

While congratulating Digicel Foundation for raising awareness of issues in the special needs community, pointing to the need for acceptance, love and the reduction of stigma, Terrelonge also recognised the presence of Paralympian gold medalist Alphanso Cunningham as a beacon of inspiration for athletes with special needs.

Registration for the Digicel 5K Night Run for Special Needs can be done at http://www.runningeventsja.com.

Original story posted in the Daily Observer on Tuesday, 21, 2018.

This year the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will be broadcast by India’s leading sports broadcaster, Star Sports, who will show all 34 matches when the tournament gets underway on the 8th August with Shah Rukh Khan’s Trinbago Knight Riders taking on the St Lucia Stars in Trinidad.

Star Sports has 12 channels that show a range of sports with extensive cricket coverage including International Cricket Council events, the VIVO Indian Premier League and a number of international bilateral series. Now the Hero CPL will join that illustrious list.

The tournament will feature the best cricketing talent from around the Caribbean with the likes of Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Dwayne Bravo and Daren Sammy all taking part. There will also be an array of global cricket superstars joining the Biggest Party in Sport with David Warner, Steve Smith, Brendon McCullum, Chris Lynn and Shoaib Malik amongst the players competing.

Speaking about the deal with Star Sports, Pete Russell, COO of the Hero CPL said: “Star Sports have a significant reach so we are delighted that the Hero CPL will be shown on Star’s TV network as well as Hotstar for the next two years. There are a huge number of star players from the IPL joining the CPL in 2018, giving fans in India another chance to watch their favourite cricketers in action.”

A spokesperson for Star India said: “Star Sports is proud to become the home for the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The inclusion of CPL to our existing, illustrious bouquet of T20 leagues is a step forward in our endeavour to bring the best of cricketing action to fans in India. The upcoming edition of CPL starting 9 August will offer action packed games every fan can enjoy.”

Kingston, Jamaica – August 3, 2018: Rainforest Seafoods, the Caribbean’s largest seafood supplier, is building on its partnership with the Iris Gelly Primary School, with part-proceeds of its sponsorship to the EduFocal online social learning service going to support the school’s Grade 4 and Grade 6 Primary Exit Profile (PEP- formerly Grade Six Achievement Test – GSAT) cohorts. The announcement was made at the sixth staging of the EduFocal Excellence Awards held on Thursday, July 26 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston.

Launched in 2012, EduFocal has served as a catalyst for the transformation of education in Jamaica, focusing on using technology to enrich the learning experience inside and outside the classroom. “As [the country] transitions from GSAT to PEP, EduFocal will be ready,” said Gordon Swaby, Chief Executive Officer of EduFocal Limited. Swaby praised Rainforest for their support over the years. “It speaks to their commitment to the educational initiative and we couldn’t be more delighted.”

Thanks to Rainforest Seafoods, thirty-seven (37) students at the Kinloss Primary School in Clarks Town, Trelawny received complimentary access to the EduFocal online platform this past school year. Principal Jacqueline Shirley says, thanks to Rainforest’s assistance, Kinloss students did well in the recent GSAT, having averages in the high 80s and 90s and getting into their top school of choice.

Rainforest’s sponsorship of yearlong access for the 37 students last year is in line with the company’s commitment to contribute to Jamaica’s education system and national development.  “Edufocal is an inspiring Jamaican Company that is aligned with Rainforest’s mandate to be technologically efficient and advanced,” said Marketing Manager Bethany Young. “They are paving the way forward through innovation – making education both affordable and accessible to young Jamaicans.”

Twenty students (10 GSAT and 10 CSEC) were awarded at the ceremony for being the top users of the website that allows students to access content from the GSAT and CSEC curricula and enhances the learning experience through games, quizzes and other engaging activities.

The top-performing high school student on the Edufocal platform was Shanoya Bisson from Holy Childhood High School. Shanoya, who was the Number 2 GSAT student last year from St. John’s Primary School, received a computer tablet from Courts, a gift certificate valued at $8,500 from local bag manufacturer Bresheh, and a $50,000 cheque from EduFocal.

The top-performing GSAT Awardee on the Edufocal platform was Jordano Page, who finished first out of over 2,000 students. The first male to win the prize in the platform’s six-year history, Jordano was the picture of confidence. “The win was important,” he said in his brief remarks, “as I was able to continue the 4-year winning streak for George Headley Primary.” He also received a tablet from Courts, a gift certificate from Bresheh, and a $50,000 cheque from EduFocal. “I came. I saw. I conquered,” he said to laughter from the audience, adding, “See you
in August for the high school edition.”

Veteran Broadcaster, Educator, and Host of Profile on TVJ, Fae Ellington, was the guest speaker at Thursday’s event. She urged the young awardees to observe some important Cs in life: “As you continue to compete in order to raise your bar of excellence,” she said, “show compassion, stop complaining, utilize creativity, avoid corruption, and watch your character.”

Rainforest will again come on board with sponsorship to the tune of $200,000, and their ongoing relationship with the Iris Gelly Primary School, which is close to Rainforest’s Slipe Road location, will be the major focus for the upcoming school year. “A young company itself, Edufocal has had fantastic results thus far in its Test Prep segment whereby the students who use the online platform consistently achieve fantastic results,” added Bethany Young. “It’s only the beginning for this flexible and scalable EdTech Sector game-changer.” The EduFocal Excellence Awards celebrates and rewards the top students on the EduFocal platform. The students get the opportunity to meet other students with whom they’ve interacted on the platform. The highlight of the afternoon was a lively performance by the Early Break Band from St. Richard’s Primary School.

Original article published in The Gleaner on Wednesday, August 3, 2018.

How low can you go? How high can you climb or jump? How fast can you run? It was all fun at Guardsman Games when agility, stamina, and endurance were put to the test. Supporters and adventure fanatics ventured on to the property of Hope Zoo last Sunday for the second staging of the grand sporting event, Guardsman Games 2018.

Hosted by the Guardsman Group Foundation, under the mantra ‘Come for the Charity, Stay for the Fun’, proceeds from this year’s Guardsman Games will go towards assisting Boys of Hope; troubled youth; The Kind Heart Basic School Initiative, to help with constructing schools in rural parts of Jamaica; and the Bustamante Hospital for Children, who were beneficiaries last year for their solar-panelling mission.

Competitors smiled with the morning sun as they performed rigourous outdoor activities for personal gratification during the Guardsman Challenge. Sponsors, companies, and other teams put out their all, with the hopes of not only completing the race, but qualifying to represent internationally at the Obstacle Course Race World Championships (OCRWC). Children were invited to join in on the festivities by participating in the Tuff Kids Race.

Energising MC Jenny Jenny got the ball rolling between challenges, with prizes and surprises for athletes and patrons. The Rising Stars marching band introduced the teams for the start of the main event: the Power Games.

Some 12 teams, each consisting of four individuals – two males and two females – were pumped to go head to head in gruesome challenges and ultimately vie for the top three spots, with first place receiving the opportunity to compete for Jamaica at the OCRWC.

The finalists pulled through almost neck and neck in within the qualifying time, with the fastest time going to Supligen Warriors and the slowest time being earned by the wild card spot, C and S Stars. So for them, timing was everything. The missions saw teams competing in either batches of twos or threes. The barrel roll and sandbag throw were up first. Team JAAR, barrelled their way to the finish line to be ahead of the game on the first group of challengers. JN Conquerors played it smart, coming first of the second set, and SSL Plum Nation rolled in style to finish from among the third team. Supligen Warriors were in top form, winning the fourth set with what appeared to be the fastest finishing time. SSL Money Team quickly followed suit, completing in high speed to place. While Wolf Pack finished first of the last batch.

The games were paused for an entertaining dog display, courtesy of the Guardsman Group. The audience was told to remain still, while their canine unit showcased the tricks of their trade.

With technical difficulties altering the second challenge, all roads led to gruelling obstacle course. Just as before, teams competed in sets of threes, this time around in the reverse order of the first challenge. The aim was to finish the entire course as one unit, so this was the time to make it all count. Running at a rapid pace with leaps and climbs in between, this was certainly not for the faint in fitness. Teams battled it out until almost nightfall, trying to beat the clock.

Spectators enjoyed the music, waiting eagerly to cheer on their favourites. In the end, there could only be one winner. Once everyone crossed the finish line, they took some minutes to tabulate the results. Placing third overall was Team JAAR, while in second place was SSL Money Team. The winner who demonstrated finesse in fitness, with discipline, team spirit and heart, was the Supligen Warriors.

Original article published in the Jamaica Gleaner’s Outlook on Sunday, July 29, 2018.

The Hero Caribbean Premier League is set to begin on 8 August when current champions, Trinbago Knight Riders, take on St Lucia Stars. There have been two significant changes to the playing conditions for the 2018 event.

In the event of a tie between the two teams, there will be a Super Over as in previous seasons. In the past, the team that had batted second in the match would automatically bat first in the Super Over. This year there will be another coin toss to decide which team will bat first in the Super Over.

There is also a change in the penalties that will be applied to teams that do not complete their overs within the allotted time. Each side has 85 minutes, plus any additional time that the umpires have deemed appropriate due to delays in play, to complete their overs.

If teams fail to bowl their overs within the allotted time they will be given a Net Run Rate penalty as outlined below:

• One (1) over down – Penalty of 0.05 deduction from their NRR
• Each additional over down – Penalty of 0.10 deduction from their NRR

Michael Hall, Tournament Operations Director for Hero CPL, said: “We work hard each year to ensure that playing conditions are making the competition as fair as possible while also keeping the spectators and viewers at home entertained. We feel both of these changes will help with both of these goals.”

Martin Guptill is getting ready for the upcoming Hero Caribbean Premier League where he will be playing for his new team, the Barbados Tridents. The tournament runs from 8 August to 16 September, and Guptill thinks the Tridents are well placed to compete with a new look squad for 2018.

“I think it’s exciting, there are some world class players in there, both local and international, so I’m looking forward to getting over there. I’ll be batting again with Dwayne Smith, the way it was in Guyana a couple years ago. You know he’s an exciting player who gives the ball a bit of a whack at the top as well. We’ve got some exciting all-rounders with Shakib al Hasan, Roston Chase also Jason Holder as well so it is an exciting team to be a part of and I am looking forward to getting over there.”

As well as an opening partnership of Dwayne Smith and Guptill there is Hashim Amla in the middle order. Guptill is looking forward to linking up with the South African stroke-maker at this year’s Hero CPL.

I played with Hashim in IPL last year and I got to bat with him in a few games, to watch the master at work down the other end was an experience and I am looking forward to hopefully batting with him again over at CPL.”

Guptill will be playing his home games at Kensington Oval, one of the most famous grounds in world cricket, when the Tridents arrive in Barbados for their five home games between 25 August and 2 September. Tickets for all the matches are selling fast and can be purchased at http://www.cplt20.com.

“It’s a lovely ground to play. I’ve had a bit of mixed results there but I’m looking forward to getting there. It is one of the iconic grounds of the West Indies so I’ve loved playing there in the past with different teams, and to have it as my home ground this year I’m looking forward to getting out there and hopefully showing the home fans what I can do.”

Guptill has been a Guyana Amazon Warrior player since 2013 and he says he has mixed feelings about playing against a franchise that he feels attached to.

“Amazon Warriors have been good to me for 4 years you know it’s a fresh start for me this year and it’s kind of good for me in a way, I get to experience different people in a different setup and I’m looking forward to getting into it.

When asked about what makes the Hero CPL so special Guptill said it was the atmosphere in the region that makes it a great tournament to be a part of.

“I guess it‘s the laid back nature of the Caribbean. The people there make it a lot of fun. You’re not putting too much pressure on yourself when you’re over there – you’re just relaxing and enjoying the experience. I guess you could say it’s one of the nicest places in the world to be playing and to be based on Barbados is pretty cool. I’ve loved every minute of being in Barbados, being there with other teams so to be there this year and have it as my home base is pretty cool you know and um can’t wait to get there and get amongst them.”