Powell

Springing from an idea in the mind of one of the fastest men in history, the Asafa Powell Foundation (APF) became a reality in the Port Antonio Suite of the Pegasus hotel on Tuesday night.

Before a healthy turnout of fellow athletes, track and field officialdom, government ministers and members of the diplomatic corps, the four-time world record holder announced the launch of the foundation, set up to help the island's next potential generation of track stars.

"There were many times in my early years when the sport gear, the equipment necessary to advance my training, was hard to come by. There are many of our young athletes who are going through that difficulty," said the man who has run under 10 seconds a record 60 times.

"Fortunately for me, with the support of my family, teachers, friends, coaches and administrators at every level, I am now in a position to help myself. I would like, in a structured and organised way, to help others, especially those who have the necessary ability but cannot afford the gear, the meals, the medication, the bus fare and the school books. This is what has led me to form this foundation."

Powell revealed that the foundation will be chaired by attorney-at-law and former government senator, Delano Franklyn. The foundation chairman, who along with Nikole Mullings (née Mitchell), the 1992 World Junior 100-metre champion; and Nigel Powell (Asafa's brother) were praised by the champion sprinter for helping him set up the foundation.

'Great Jamaican'

Franklyn, who recently penned a book on Jamaican track and field called Sprinting into History, said he was delighted and humbled when he was invited by a "great Jamaican" to consider becoming chairman of the foundation.

A 12-member board will meet quarterly to oversee the running of the foundation and will comprise his brother Nigel, who is also a teacher; Jeff McKitty, a Kingston businessman; Nadine Sutherland, a singer; Coleen Montaque, principal of the Wolmer's Girls' School; Bruce James, president of the MVP track club; Christian Stokes, businessman; Dennis Clarke, principal of the Dinthill High School, Ali McNab, businessman; Bryon Carr, a real-estate developer; Ralph Williams, principal of the Charlemont High School; Dr Orville Taylor, and Michael Brown, engineer.

The foundation, Franklyn said, will seek to "contribute to the personal welfare and development of track and field athletes, especially those between the ages of 12 and 30; to encourage, promote and propagate the principles of hard work, discipline, good behaviour and respect of self and others among our young people ages six to 30".

Franklyn, who lists sports law among his areas of expertise, added that the foundation also aims to assist schools at all levels, but particularly at the primary and secondary levels, with sports gear, training equipment, and a training area in order to advance their operations with regards to track and field; to provide support in whatever form possible to all persons, organisations and institutions working to advance the cause of track and field in Jamaica; and to initiate, support and foster the work of any other properly constituted authority or authorities, government minister or non-governmental, national, regional, or international in the promotion of the objectives of the foundation.

In addition to a concert aimed at raising funds for the foundation, which was initially set for late November but has been pushed back to early December, several other projects are immediately being considered by the board for implementation on an annual basis.

Recommend athletes

The APF will consider requesting of the organisers of the annual Gibson Relays that they identify and recommend each year, starting 2010, two male and female athletes who will be awarded the Asafa Powell Award - cash towards their athletic and academic development.

They also have plans, starting next year, to assist with sports gear for a year to the male and female athletes who accumulate the most points for his and her school at Champs, in all classes.

They are also considering an Asafa Powell cash award for any boy or girl who breaks the 100-metre or 200-metre record in any class at the championships, which are staged the week before Easter each year. The award would mark the 100th anniversary of Champs in 2010.

The board will also be considering hosting an annual symposium, starting in the last quarter of 2010, which focuses on track and field and national matters pertaining to the island's youth, as well as the adoption of a different school each year in order to organise a series of activities to help improvement in the attitudes and values of the students in the school adopted.