"When I was told [about it], I could hardly believe my good fortune"
So said nationally recognized student-athlete Shimona Nelson, one of 40 recipients of scholarships in this year's renewal of the CB/UWI 5K RunWalk and Smart R=Eggs Kids K, which events were launched Tuesday morning at the UWI Regional Headquarters in Kingston.
Responding on behalf of the recipients Sports Psychology student Shimona, who is a national representative in both netball and basketball, spoke of the challenges facing her both as a student and an athlete. "It has been very stressful for me not knowing how I was going to continue to fund my education." she said. ,
So much so, that the lithe second year student once thought her dream of practicing sports psychology had hit a dead end. By removing the financial burden, the CB Group award, she said, has made it much easier for her to apply herself in the dual role of student-athlete.
In addition to playing goal-shooter on the netball court, Nelson also has a pivotal role in basketball, putting her height and athleticism to use as a Center. Her netball talent took her all the way to Botswana where she was part of the Under-21 Sunshine Girls and was named Most Valuable Player, and she has an invitation to play in the upcoming Fast 5 Tournament in Australia.
But her sporting exploits don't stop there. The eighteen -year old has also tried her hand at the javelin event and is looking to increase her involvement in that discipline. But not at the expense of her studies. Nelson is committed to maintaining the Grade point Average (GPA) in excess of 3 that saw her being selected in the first place and going on to realize her dream of motivating and counselling other athletes.
"Like the other recipients, I am deeply appreciative, and I certainly will not let this
unique opportunity be wasted."
The launch also saw a video with comments and testimonials from the 2017 awardees.
CB Group Chief Operating Officer Matthew Lyn had a somewhat backhandedly optimistic instruction for the ed-shirted Scholarship awardees gathered for the launch of the 6th annual Cb Group/UWI 5K RunWalk and Smart Eggs Kids K, held
"Be flexible, be open to opportunities that may lie outside of your degree focus or your major. Keep an open mind," he said i n congratulating the beneficiaries. The company, Mr Lyn, said, believed thoroughly in education as the primary vehicle for national development and thus was proud and pleased to be associated with the event, which he said, was now - after 5 stagings - finding its rhythm.
In typical self-effacing fashion the CB Group COO paid tribute to what he called "the huge team at CB behind the event" and also recognized the other "investing partners" including National Baking, the Port Authority, LASCO Jamaica, Rainforest Seafoods, Visual Vibe, Mayberry Investments, iPrint Digital, the European Union,The RJR Gleaner Communications Group, the Jamaica Pegasus Running Events, Limited, News Talk, SunBloc Awning and Tents, Sun City radio and Newstalk 93 FM
Speaking on behalf of the UWI, Ambassador Richard Bernal praised the event and the various team members involved noting that not only did it promote a healthy lifestyle, it offered the opportunity for talented young Jamaicans to matriculate through the University, adding that many of the previous scholarship awardees were already making contributions - both materially and of their time and skill - to the University and to Jamaica as a whole.
Race Director Alfreed "Franno" Francis of Running Events Limited, outlined the roues for the 5K and Kids K and similarly praised the principals form CB Group and the UWI, noting that the ability to offer a quality education to deserving students could not be underscored.
Sprinter Asafa Powell, now officially enshrined in the Guinness Book of World records for most sub-10 100m clockings of all time, is this year's Sports Award honoree. Powell was unavoidably absent from the launch, but has committed to being present for the event.
The event, scheduled for November 12 (beginning at 7:00 am) will once again be under the patronage of retired Grace Kennedy chief exwecutive, Dr the Hon Douglas Orane and Donette Chin-Loy Chang, co-Patron of the UWI Toronto Benefit Gala
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