NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 
June 12, 2022

Teachers hailed for dedication to sports at the JTA/Sagicor National Athletics Championships

Kingston, Jamaica – As the JTA/Sagicor National Athletics Championships ended on Saturday, June 11, the teachers who coordinate sporting events at the school and parish levels were hailed as the true stars of another successful meet. 
The Championships, which was founded 39 years ago by educators in the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, has a rich history of being the birthplace of many track & field legends, including Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah and rising stars Brianna Lyston and Tia and Tina Clayton, to name a few.
Alysia White, Vice President-Group Marketing, Sagicor Group Jamaica reiterated that the Championships and its impact on Jamaican track & field culture would not have been possible without the dedication of all the teachers involved. 
“When you look at the championships and see these kids burning up the track, collecting their medals, and growing up to be superstars, just know that a teacher is behind the scenes making sure the nation’s future is being taken care of,” White said at the official opening ceremony of the two-day event.
She added, “There is a lot that goes into an event like this and the teachers who act as parish coordinators do an excellent job in ensuring things run smoothly. Sagicor is proud to be associated with these nation builders who put their all into the classroom while taking the time to participate in the Championships with the same vigor.”
Parish coordinators are responsible for organizing all parish activities related to the JTA/Sagicor National Athletics Championships along with other JTA competitions. They also act as liaisons between their parishes and the JTA’s National Sports Committee.
 Nickeisha Hudson-Bowers, parish coordinator for St. Thomas and teacher at Dalvey Primary and Infant School, commented on the roles played by teachers at the Championships. 
“It’s more than just logistics. A lot of the times we also play the role of counsellors because the kids need constant motivation and encouragement. A lot of them get nervous before a race because of the crowd and so we help them prepare mentally as well. I love when students are involved in activities outside of academics so my role as parish coordinator brings me much joy,” she shared.
Kemar Bailey, chairman, JTA National Sports Committee further highlighted that the teachers/parish coordinators are the lifeblood of the Championships. 
“They are the foundation; they did a lot of groundwork to get the students ready for the championship. Without their hard work, dedication, and commitment to the cause and nation-building, the event could not be possible,” he said.
At the end of the two-day event, it was St Andrew that made it three title wins in a row with 272.5 points. In second place was St. Thomas with 256 points; St. Catherine places third with 194 points. St. Elizabeth also won a cash prize of $100,000 from Sagicor for having the most followers in the stands.
This year’s staging of the meet was also sponsored by the JTA Co-operative Credit Union, Milo, Gatorade, National Baking Company and the Jamaica Observer.


About Sagicor Group Jamaica
Sagicor Group Jamaica is a financial services conglomerate.  The Company commenced  operations in  1970 as  Life  of  Jamaica  Limited,  the  first locally owned  life  insurance  company  and  the  first  life  insurance  company  to  be  listed  on  the  JSE.  The Group offers products and services in the areas of Banking, Insurance, Investments, Real Estate, Asset Management and Retirement Planning.  Sagicor  Life  Jamaica  Limited  is  the  leading  Life  and  Health  insurance provider in  Jamaica; the Bank is one of Jamaica’s largest banks, and Sagicor Investments is one of the top Investments companies in the Country.   Sagicor Group Jamaica is a member of the wider Sagicor Financial Corporation. Sagicor Financial Corporation operates in over 20 countries and its operations date back to 1840.

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For further information, please call Alysia White [email protected] (876)818-6282 - Sagicor Group Jamaica, 28-48 Barbados Avenue, Kingston