Irwine Clare, Sr., and dozens of volunteers and sponsors are busy hosting the runners participating at the 117th running of the relays.
More than fifty athletes, representing the cream of Jamaica’s junior athletics program along with their coaches and school administrators were feted by Team Jamaica Bickle at a luncheon at The Dream Restaurant in Queens, NY, on Tuesday afternoon, April 24th.
Clare, Sr. was on hand to welcome the athletes representing five of the competing schools at this year’s 118th staging of the Penn Relays Carnival at the Ben Franklin Field Stadium, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, from Thursday, April 26th through Saturday, April 28th.
First time participant, Fayon Gonzales of St.Jago High School, said that she was looking forward to the competition and to extend the recent dominance of the Jamaican schools in the field events, when she competes in the Discus event.
Formed in 1994 under the leadership of Irwine G. Clare Sr., to provide much needed support for Jamaican athletes who compete at the annual Penn Relays Carnival, the group recently held its annual pre-Penn reception and honored two of Jamaica’s most prolific Olympians – Grace Jackson and Bertland Cameron. Both were also presented with proclamations from the office of Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke in honor of their outstanding contributions to sports both on and off the track.
In 1999, Team Jamaica Bickle became the first Jamaican organization to be a participating sponsor at the Penn Relays, thus allowing us to partner with our corporate friends. As a result, the Jamaican flag became the first foreign nation’s flag to be flown at the Penn Relays, a distinction unmatched. Over the years, TJB has received several proclamations and awards from numerous local and national entities.
Sponsors include Link Up Media, BioLife Energy Systems, Western Union, Tower Isle, Grace, Lime, UJAA and Caribbean Food Delights.
