‘Big thing for us’

DAVE MYRIE and Alberto Corcho, respective principals of arch-rival Corporate Area high schools Kingston College and Calabar, heaped praise on the David ‘Wagga’ Hunt Foundation for continuing its contribution to the schools by way of scholarships, despite the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the absence of their customary preseason fundraising football extravaganza, the foundation handed over $1.2 million to each school for 12 scholarship recipients from both institutions, six at Kingston College on Monday and the other half dozen at Calabar on Tuesday.

A total of US$1,000 (J$154,000) was also presented to the Manning Cup programmes, as well as gear for the teams and coaches.

They also provided $180,000 for each school to share equally among the scholarship recipients to assist with COVID challenges. This amounts to $15,000 apiece.

Earlier this year, the foundation also provided one million dollars to assist the schools’ IT departments with remote learning.

BIG GESTURE

“It is a big thing for us,” Myrie stated. “Since 2009 they have been doing this particular initiative and it’s a big thing for KC.

“We haven’t had the matches over the last two years, but the fact that the gesture continues in terms of scholarships and contribution to the programme is a big plus for us,” he said.

“We just want to thank the ‘Wagga’ Hunt Foundation and all its members for supporting the schools because in these times money is tight. So if we can get any donation it is a significant boost,” he commented. “We really appreciate what has happened here and we will put these funds to good use.”

Corcho believes this is one of those moments the two schools look forward to, and said the initiative has helped thousands of boys immensely.

“This year although COVID-19 came, we are happy the presentation can be made. Beyond that there is a presentation of some money that will go towards our IT infrastructure,” said Corcho.

“So on behalf of the Calabar community, I would like to thank the ‘Wagga’ Hunt committee. They have answered the call for us at Calabar and we continue to motivate our boys to understand what this committee is all about,” he said.

David Hunt, who attended Kingston College and coached Calabar to Manning Cup schoolboy football title success, died in 2007 from a heart attack.

Hunt lived in Havendale and was head cook and bottle washer for Meadhaven Football Club, developing football talent as coach for the Meadowbrook/Havendale communities and others within its environs throughout the years.

In 2009, the foundation was set up in Hunt’s honour to assist students of both institutions with scholarships.

Football matches between age-group teams from both schools have also been used to commemorate the occasion.

Both principals pointed out that Hunt’s legacy continues to bridge the unity between rival schools.

Corcho said: “Power to the ‘Wagga’ Hunt committee. The Calabar, KC commitment will continue to do well. We did not have the football game this year, but this is not just about sport, but about the overall development of the schools, and Calabar is happy to be part of this development.”

Myrie said: “His legacy lives on. Who would have thought the Hunt Foundation could have pulled together something like this.

“Calabar and KC are two of the biggest rivals, but yet through this initiative the two schools have been working together for years. So it is just a good thing because we might have rivalry on the field, but the bottom line is the development and assistance of this country,” Myrie stated.

Co-chair of the foundation, Arnold McDonald, said they thought it was important to provide the usual subventures, as it will go a far way in supporting the boys for this current term.

“We are proud to continue because we know this is tough times, even more so with the challenge of COVID,” said McDonald. “So we have continued under the challenge for the last 19 months and we continued to raise funds for this scholarship initiative.

“David was a mentor. He loved kids and did it for their own development. We are pleased with his family and committee members that we have been able to continue his legacy by continuing this scholarship programme,” he added.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com