The Sports Club also recognized visiting head coach from the University of Kansas Stanley Redwine who was on hand to assess athletes for possible inclusion in the university’s athletics programme.

Meet Director, Jamalco Sports Club Coordinator and Olympian Neville Myton, said that honouring the Olympians is in keeping with the Club’s drive to recognize the contributions of senior Olympians and also to create awareness of their exploits among young athletes. “We hope to work our way up to our present athletes,” he said.  The Olympians received citations, plaques and hi-tech mobile telephones from Digicel.

Keith Gardner won a bronze medal in the 4x 400m relay at the Rome Olympics in 1960.  He is recognized as one of Jamaica’s best sprint hurdlers of all times and won three gold, one silver and a bronze medal at the British Commonwealth Games in 1954 and 1958.

Vilma Charlton is a three-time Olympian having competed in the games in 1964, 1968 and 1972, and currently serves the JAAA as 3rd Vice President.

Jamalco’s Human Resources and Administrative Manager Sharon Brown was on hand to declare the meet open and the company also provided assistance with logistics and hospitality.  Mrs. Brown told the athletes that Jamalco feels honoured and privileged to be one of the sponsors of the JAAA/Puma Development Meet because, “it aids in your development and experience.” She added that the meet also allows the young athletes to showcase their talents before visiting coaches from overseas universities.

Seventy-four schools with some 1,400 athletes participated in the track meet.  Mr. Myton said the event “is one in a series endorsed by the JAAA to assist in the development of young athletes.” The Jamalco Track Club also participated in the event.