Anthony Foster, Gleaner Writer

Michele English (fourth right), president and chief operating officer at Flow, poses with Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) President Howard Aris (left) and members of Jamaica's Olympic team to Beijing at yesterday's press briefing to announce the company's $5.5-million, three-year sponsorship deal for the JAAA's Athletics Intervention Programme. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

IN A move to further the development of its athletes off the track, the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) has received assistance from Flow, the nation's first broadband network.

Flow, provider of broadband cable television, Internet and telephone services, confirmed at a media briefing yesterday at the company's New Kingston head office that it has answered the JAAA's call with a $5.5-million contribution.

The partnership will boost the JAAA's current Athletics Intervention Programme, which seeks to ensure that young athletes receive the appropriate skills and development training to become successful on and off the field.

The KBC Learning Centre, which was established to provide assistance with school improvement programmes to underperforming schools and school districts, and to provide direct supplemental educational services to students and professional development services to teachers, has been given the responsibility to assist the young athletes.

Although details are yet to be finalised, Angela Bennett, managing director of KBC Learning Centre, said students can access the programme from anywhere in the world.

Academic intervention

Meanwhile, Howard Aris, president of the JAAA, said, "I am delighted that Flow has agreed to support the Athletics Intervention Programme. The idea of this programme is to assist our student athletes, who may need academic intervention in terms of their schoolwork. We believe strongly that when an athlete is a national representative, and they are not keeping up with their schoolwork, this will be a mechanism to assist them."

Aris also expressed his gratitude to the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association, which offered its support towards ensuring the effective implementation of the programme, and KBC, which, he said, has expertise in improving academic performance.

Michele English, president and chief operating officer at Flow, in her address, praised the performances of Jamaica's athletes at the Beijing Olympics.

"I am also extremely delighted to announce that in order to ensure that the momentum continues way into the future, Flow is partnering the JAAA on a very special initiative; the Athletic Welfare Initiative, that will focus on ensuring that young and upcoming athletes receive the relevant skills and development training to become successful both on and off the field," she said.

English also announced that her company would provide complimentary lifetime cable and Internet service to all medallists at the recent Olympic Games.

Melaine Walker, Michael Frater, Nesta Carter, Shericka Williams, Rosemarie White and Bobby-Gaye Wilkins, all medallists in Beijing, were on hand yesterday. They were all presented with computers.