Minister Grange Says Junior Athletes Lived up to Expectations

August 26, 2021 | Zhane Squire |

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has said the performance of the Jamaica team to the 2021 World Under 20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, “lived up to our expectations and once again the youngsters made us just as proud as their seniors did at the Tokyo Olympics.”

Minister Grange noted that Jamaica went all out on the final day of the Championships and was richly rewarded with seven medals including the gold in the women’s 4x100m in world-record time. “Special congratulations to our relay team of Screna Cole, Tia Clayton, Tina Clayton and Kerrica Hill for their Junior world-record time of 42.94. Their run was fantastic.

“We had three gold medals including the two from Tina Clayton in the 100m and Ackera Nugent in the 100m hurdles to finish fifth on the medal table with three gold, six silver and two bronze medals at the championships. Jaydon Hibbert jumped a personal best 16.05m to win the silver medal in the triple jump competition.

Jamaica also won a silver medal in the discuss when Ralford Mullings threw a personal best 66.68m.

Alexavier Monfries, Bryan Levell, Andrew Gillips and Sandrey Davison in the 4x100m relay produced an area record 38.61 for the silver medal. Both the boys and the girls copped silver medals in 4x400m relays.

Devontic Archer was promoted to bronze medalist in the 400m hurdles after the winner was disqualified. His time of 49.78 was also a personal best. The Sport Minister said that because of the Covid-19 restrictions she would not be able to meet the athletes at the airport but that she would approximately welcome and host them after their quarantine period is over.

“My Ministry is also working with the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) for the athletes to be tested and vaccinated. And I will ensure that they are all covered under the Athletes Insurance Plan which provides for basic Group Health insurance along with Group Life and Personal Accident Insurance coverage.”

“I congratulate every one of the athletes who took part in the Games. You all did your best and we ask nothing more of you when you wear the Black, Green and Gold.”

“And we cannot commend you enough for doing so very well in spite of the Covid-19 challenges you faced in training and in competition,” The Sport Minister concluded.

Source The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport