Special trip for 12 young Jamaicans

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica did not qualify for the 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa but, nevertheless, 12 fortunate youngsters have been selected by Coca-Cola to be official FIFA flag bearers at the prestigious event.

The teens, seven boys and five girls, are: Matthew Cummings (Clan Clarty High), Adriel Williams (Campion College), Joel Clarke (Kingston College), Gavania Wynter (St Mary's College), Vanessa Moo-Young (Immaculate Conception High), Francois Dean (Wolmer's Boys), Jamoy Brown (Oberlin High), Shana-Kay Cunningham (Camperdown High), Stephan Murray (St Mary Technical High), Shaquera Richards (Cockburn Primary and Junior High), Kristen-Kay Barnaby and Kimberly Hannam both of Ardenne High.

This is not a new undertaking for Coca-Cola but it is the first time that they have selected youngsters from this region, as Coca-Cola's country manager for Jamaica, Chris Hardy, explains.

Jamaica's first time

It is not the first venture for Coca-Cola to be sending youngsters from across the world to the World Cup but it is the first time for Jamaica and it is a big thing," said Hardy. "It is not one or two, it is 12 teenagers that we will be taking down to South Africa to participate in this year's World Cup, and it is truly special," he added.

Hardy also explained why Jamaica was chosen to be the first country from this region that youngsters have been selected from to be flag bearers at the World Cup.

"It is four years since we have started distributing Coca-Cola in Jamaica and we actually started during the World Cup, so it marks the anniversary of the relationship with Wisynco," said Hardy.

The children became eligible for selection by merely writing their names and other required information on the back of Coca-Cola labels and dropping them in one of the many boxes that were placed in high schools across the island. The boxes were then collected and the 12 winners chosen. They will now join 276 other youngsters from across the world to be flag bearers at the monthlong tournament.

Two groups

The first group of six children will leave the island on June 16 and will perform their duties on June 20 at the match between Brazil and Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) before returning to the island on June 23.

The second group will depart on June 19 and will execute their responsibilities on June 24 at the match between Slovakia and Italy before returning on June 26. Both sets of youngsters will get the opportunity to meet the teams at their respective games and will be pro-vided with great seats from which to watch the two games.

Fifteen-year-old Adriel Williams, who will travel in the first group, is naturally excited.

"I love football and this will be my first time in Africa and that is another fun point for me, and I will also get to see the real football stars," he added.

Cummings, who turned 17 yesterday, views the opportunity as a perfect birthday present and is looking forward to the trip.

"I am feeling wonderful because this is like a birthday present to me," said Cummings. "I am looking forward to the experience. I have never been on a plane before," he added.

Sixteen-year-old Moo-Young, who is one of the five females, is looking forward to the game experience.

"I was excited and happy that my hard work paid off. I am looking forward to being at the game and being a flag bearer," said Moo-Young. "I think it is great opportunity and I am really happy they (Coca-Cola) came out with this programme," she added.

Barnaby, 16, still cannot believe that she will be making the trip.

"I am very elated, it seems surreal, I never expected to be selected because everybody kept on telling me I would never get it," said Barnaby. "I am looking forward to seeing the culture of the people of South Africa," she added.