Sacha Walters, Staff Reporter

Professor Errol Morrison (second right) captivates Eileen Chin (left), Professor Rosalea Hamilton and business mogul Lascelles Chin. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

With the abundance of pride Jamaicans felt as a result of our Olympians hard work, gestures of gratitude continue for all who helped them get there.

The University of Technology (UTech) and the Maximising Velocity and Power (MVP) Track Club hosted a reception to thank both athletes and corporate sponsors of the sports programme of the university last Tuesday.

The MVP/UTech alliance produced the majority of medalling athletes on the Jamaican Olympic team this year.

celebrate our achievements

This evening we gather to celebrate our achievements, applaud the kind support of our corporate sponsors over the years and to encourage your continued support, said Professor Rosalea Hamilton, vice-president, development, UTech, at the Knutsford Court Hotel.

Professor Hamilton, who made a presentation titled Department of Sport, Home of World-Class Athletes Fostering Corporate Partnerships in Sports, not only highlighted the achievements of the sports programme but the necessary continued support to keep the programme going.

world ranking

One interesting fact, she pointed out, was If UTech was a country, we would have ranked fifth in the world in track and field ahead of 200 of the 205 countries that competed.

The support of internal stakeholders, like the campus pharmacy that filled prescriptions for the athletes, the School of Hospitality that planned pre-competition meals and daily menu, the medical centre that provided pre-training check-ups and emergency services, was also noted. External stakeholders, like the Creative Production and Training Centre and Male Ego clothing store, were also recognised for their contribution to voice training and grooming, respectively.

Olympian Nesta Carter said thanks on behalf of the other athletes. Assistant coach MVP, Paul Francis, proudly introduced the upcoming athletes they are working with and assured guests that they were ones to watch.

The event was sponsored by CVM TV.

Guests included: Professor Errol Morrison, president, UTech, Dr David McBean CEO, CVM TV Limited; Hector Wheeler, director of advancement, UTech; Lascelles Chen and wife Eileen; Minna Israel, RBTT; Lincoln Eatmon; Dr Michelle Holt, Andre Wellington, Nicola Channer, Alecia Cutenar, Gavin James, Kaymarie Jones, Steve Banton and Shanikie Osbourne.

Nadine Blair (left) and Gaynel Roache with Olympian Nesta Carter at a reception to honour the sponsors of the University of Technology/MVP athletes.

Minna Israel, managing director, RBTT, with Paul Francis (centre), assistant coach of the MVP club, and Lincoln Eatmon of DunnCox, are all smiles at a reception to honour UTech/MVP sponsors.

Alecia Cutenar is an MVP athlete who is promising to make her mark on the field. Shanikie Osbourne (background) contributes to the MVP team off the track.