Caribbean Community Urged to Support Team Jamaica Bickle

Consul General to New York, Dr. Basil K, Bryan, has called on members of the Caribbean community to support Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB), the not-for-profit volunteer organization that oversees the welfare of Caribbean athletes attending the annual Penn Relays in Philadelphia, at the end of April.
According to Dr. Bryan, the support from the overseas community provided the TJB with a unique opportunity to assist young athletes to perform well at the annual Penn Relays.
Dr. Bryan was speaking at a TJB ‘Thank You’ reception, held at the offices of the Jamaican Consulate in Manhattan, on April 20.
“It’s really a chance to be the wind beneath the wings of our young athletes so that they can soar like the eagle. Your presence here is indicative of your tremendous support and pride in our country, Jamaica. For that, we thank all our supporters,” Dr. Bryan told the audience.
Highlighting the achievements of Jamaicans who “are world beaters”, the Consul General said that as Jamaicans, “we have always had difficult days, but what makes a Jamaican a Jamaican, is that we can rise above the difficulties and show to the world that we are truly God’s children”.
For their exemplary display of nationalism and excellence, the TJB awards for 2006 went to Devon Harris, captain of the historic Bobsled team to the 1988 Winter Olympics and now a motivational speaker/author; Kenia Sinclair, national 800 metres record holder and silver medallist at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia; and Ray Goldbourne, Executive Vice-President, Broadcast Sales at BET Entertainment Network.
Dr. Bryan said the recipients “were pioneers on the cutting edge of their chosen endeavours”, and that the TJB must be commended for staying the course and ensuring that “our athletic ambassadors will be provided for and supported this year”.
The event, which was also staged as a fund-raiser, received generous contributions from the Vincent Hosang Group of Companies, the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations (UJAA) and Ray Goldbourne of BET Entertainment Network.
Major support for the TJB initiative this year is expected from JerkQzine, Western Union, Victoria Mutual Building Society, TransContinental Express Shippers, Air Jamaica Limited, the Door Restaurant and O.J. Plumbing Services.
Food for the athletes is being provided by the Vincent Hosang Group of Companies and GraceKennedy Limited.The 112th running of the Penn Relays takes place at the Ben Franklin Field stadium, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, from Thursday, April 27 to Saturday, April 29.