Queen’s Baton being taken across the Island

Young persons attending the Jamalco Environmental Summer Camp and athletes of the Jamalco Track Club in Clarendon got an opportunity yesterday (July 28), to hold the high tech Queen’s baton now being taken across Jamaica to promote the Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Melbourne, Australia in March 2006.

The baton will be taken on a 71-country tour before it reaches Australia.

At the Jamalco leg of the relay, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Mike Fennell presented the baton to the company’s Human Resource Administrator, Rhena Gregory, who then handed it over to former Commonwealth Games representative and Jamalco employee, Oliver Heywood.

Members of the track club, led by captain and GC Foster College student, Paul Bogle, took the baton for a symbolic lap around the track.

At the ceremony, which followed, Mr. Fennell, who is also President of the Jamaica Olympic Association noted that Jamalco was chosen to be included in the relay stops, because of the presence and contribution to sports development by former athletes, such as Oliver Heywood, as well as Neville Myton, Olympian and Jamalco Sports Club Co-ordinator.

He also noted that Jamalco was a significant contributor to the development of sports and communities in Clarendon.

Miss Gregory in her greetings, said that Jamalco was very committed to the development of sports, as stated in its slogan – ‘We build communities through education and sports’.

She expressed the hope that “this event will strengthen the bonds that bind us in the Commonwealth and continue to inspire our young athletes to strive for excellence”.

“As the 71 lights on this special baton light up, it is our hope at Jamalco that the spirit of the games will illuminate the hearts of the world as we seek peace,” she added.

The 71 lights on the baton represent the countries that will participate in the games.

Its progress can be tracked on the internet at www.melbourne2006.com.au.

This relay marks the first time that the Queen’s baton will be taken to all countries participating in the Commonwealth Games and has been made possible by the Government of Australia.