Road to Olympic Glory launched

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

The University of Technology (UTech) will be embarking on a $21-million refurbishing exercise to the playing field at the rear of the campus, and has also adjusted its scholarship programme for student athletes going into next semester.

These were two of several announcements made yesterday afternoon, as the institution officially kicked off its 'Road to Olympic Glory' programme, which entails a number of sporting, cultural and educational activities over the period leading up to next summer's Olympic Games in London, England.

It is not yet clear as to exactly what improvements will be made to the field, which is also used by members of the UTech-based MVP Track and Field Club. However, UTech president, Professor Errol Morrison, who was speaking at the function hosted on campus at Lillian's Restaurant, believes it's a timely intervention.

"Nothing has been significantly done (to improve the field) since the last Olympics, but we are now committed to improvements to our back field where our athletes train, and that total development and improvement is going to cost $21 million," Morrison said before speaking to the new scholarship structure.

"As of next semester, all of our student athletes who train with MVP will be given a scholarship equivalent to 50 per cent of their tuition fee right across the board, irrespective of the programme that they are enrolled in," Morrison added.

Events

The project has already attracted significant attention from corporate Jamaica, with Victoria Mutual Building Society committing $10 million and JP Tropical Foods another $1.3 million to the programme which, among other elements, will feature a launch of Dennis Johnson's Diaries - a book on UTech's story of sport success next month; a UTech Olympic Village party; a Sports Science, Health, Wellness and Diabetes Convention in Ocho Rios; the UTech Invitational Track and Field Classic, as well as several other interesting events in 2012, which will all lead into the Olympic Games and other events in England.

UTech has also partnered with Just Cool Waters in a US$20,000 (J$1.7 million) deal, while Dinosaur - a health/medical company - will be providing sponsorships, endorsement, equipment and supplements to the MVP/UTech athletes valued at US$8,000 (J$682,000).

Sports Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, who was a special guest at the event, lauded UTech for its innovation and once again underlined the value of sports.

"Everyone agrees that sports excites, sports unites and sports help to build health and economic prosperity while promoting economic development," said Grange.

"We laud the vision and innovative spirit of UTech, and as an institution, it has really shown that it is passionate about these endeavours.

"UTech is playing a major role in building professionalism in the sporting industry, and supporting athletes to hone their skills and manage their personal and business development," Grange added.