By NAN Sports Editor
News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. April 22, 2016: For the first time in the history of U.S. sports organization Team Jamaica Bickle, high school athletes from the South American nation of Guyana will join the TJB camp.
Founder of TJB, Irwine Clare, told NAN that as Guyana gets ready to mark its 50th year of independence from Britain this May, Team Jamaica Bickle is excited to be able to host some 17 sports stars of tomorrow from the CARICOM nation.
The group, which raises funded organically in the Caribbean Diaspora to help pay for the food, travel accommodation and chiropractic needs of the high school athletes, will also host dozens of young sports stars from several other nations including Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
TJB annually helps to pay for the hotel accommodations of the young athletes, many of whom are from poor communities across the Caribbean and cannot afford the high costs of hotels and daily meals in the U.S. TJB raises funds to help cover the costs while paying for vans to transport the athletes from arriving airports to Philadelphia and daily from the hotel to the Franklin Field. Caribbean meals are provided thrice daily to athletes at a tent on the grounds of the Field. Caribbean Food Delight Vincent Hosang and his family largely provide the home cooked meals.
But the rising costs is putting a strain on TJB organizers who donate their time and talent yearly in a labor of love to help cater to the needs of the talented high schoolers.
Clare is appealing to for help to meet the group’s target of around US$80,000 this year, noting “the vast services provided come at a significant cost.”
So far, TJB is raising funds through social media appeals, weekly brunches, church services, local sponsorships and radio PSA’s in the United States and through the assistance of dozens of volunteers.
Sports stars that have benefited from the services of TJB include Olympians and World Champions Usain Bolt, Veronica Campbell Brown, Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce, Yohan Blake and Warren Weir among others.
Support Team Jamaica Bickle with your investment in the Olympians of tomorrow here.
The annual Penn Relays is set for April 28-30 event at the University of Pennsylvania. See the Penn schedule here.
