Proud parents Stanley and Iveta Graham with their daughter Akira
Marlon Reid
For Ann-Marie Black, a self-employed mother from rural Jamaica, raising three sprint hurdlers has been a challenging but rewarding journey. On Wednesday, that journey reached a significant milestone as her youngest daughter, Yukika Harris, was awarded a scholarship by the Pocket Rocket Foundation, led by track icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. The awards, presented at the AC Marriott Hotel in Kingston, saw 20 student-athletes, including Yukika, receive scholarships, the largest number ever awarded in the foundation's 11-year history.
Black, whose elder daughters, Habiba and Winsome Harris, also Pocket Rocket Scholarship recipients, was elated. For her, the scholarship means more than just financial relief. "Being a single mom, it has helped me a lot. Knowing that they are on the scholarship, I don’t have to stress much about their school fees and stuff, so I am very, very appreciative of these scholarships," she said.
Reflecting on where her daughters’ athletic talents come from, Black proudly shared her own history of sprinting at the Springfield All-Age and Lewisville Vocational schools. "I used to run the 100m and the 200m," she revealed. Today, the legacy continues not only through her daughters but also her grandson, Martino Baker, who dreams of becoming the next Usain Bolt while running for Glen Stewart Primary School.
Yukika, a rising star at St. Elizabeth Technical High School, is determined to outshine her sisters on the track. Black recalled a moment that encapsulated her daughter’s fighting spirit. "I
remember once I said to her; I call her Mary, I said, ‘Mary, you’re tiny,’ and she replied, ‘Mommy, is Shelly-Ann Fraser big?’” Shelly-Ann, Black said, was "elated" to know that her foundation's impact was deeply appreciated by families like theirs.
Three of Black's daughters have been scholarship beneficiaries
Another proud family present at the ceremony was that of Akira Graham, a student-athlete from St. Andrew High School for Girls. Like Yukika, Akira was among the 20 students to receive a scholarship, an achievement she worked hard for. "It means that you are attentive in your work and your athletics, and this scholarship to me has just proven that once you put in the work for both parts of the journey, you can get something out of it. I think I make my parents very proud," she said with a smile.
Her parents, Stanley and Iveta Graham, couldn’t agree more. "It’s a big help; we are so proud of her," said Iveta. "She started this journey with athletics during Covid just because she wanted to get out of the house, and it was a real push for her to stay. It just shows that with determination and support, your child can do great things."
Iveta believes the scholarship is not only a recognition of her daughter’s hard work but also a crucial financial lifeline, especially as she prepares for her CXC exams. "It’s something that I would like all parents to realize, which is that their child is great, and you just need to encourage the greatness," she said. "For us, this is going to be a great help because this is her CXC year, and school is expensive."
This year’s recipients, selected from a record-breaking 162 applicants, included an outstanding group of student-athletes excelling both academically and athletically with 80 per cent of the applicant exceeding the qualifying criteria. Alas, only 20 could be selected, among them was Danielle Noble from Wolmer’s Trust High School for Girls, who expressed gratitude for the opportunity to balance her education and athletics with less financial strain. Matthew Lambert of Knox College and Mattheau Thaxter of Wolmer’s Boys also earned scholarships for their dedication to both schoolwork and sport, along with Iorek Evans from Belair High School and Ajani Murphy of Guy’s Hill High School.
Michael Edwards from Jamaica College, Keelan Smith of Holy Childhood, and Keeshawn Yorke from York Castle High School, each of whom have shown remarkable talent, were also among those recognized. Shameika Dennis of St. Elizabeth Technical High School shared the honour with Yukika, as did Tirunesh Johnson of St. Mary High School and Nicholie Barclay of St. Jago High School, all of whom have consistently demonstrated excellence in both their studies and sporting endeavors.
Ruth Lewis of Belair High School, Abigail Lemard from Wolmer’s Girls, and Nevaeh Dawkins of Campion College were among the girls rewarded for their hard work, while Rickardo Mundle from Wolmer’s Boys, Ithran Softley from Papine High School, Shwayne McDermot of Knox College, and Imani Wint from Wolmer’s Girls rounded out the group of deserving recipients.
Yukika Harris receiving a gift bag courtesy of Nike from icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and a basket of goodies from Carlene Holness Promotions and Events Supervisor at GraceKennedy during the awards ceremony on Wednesday.
The scholarships, now in their 11th year, have grown significantly, with the Pocket Rocket Foundation having awarded 93 scholarships to date. For many of these young athletes, the scholarships are not just financial support but a validation of their hard work, discipline, and talent.
For Ann-Marie Black and the Graham family, the scholarships signify more than just a helping hand—they are a testament to the power of sport to uplift families and communities. "Sports takes us out of poverty as far as I am concerned because if you see the kids have the ability to do it, you let them do it," said Black, expressing gratitude for the opportunities her children have been given.
As Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s Pocket Rocket Foundation continues to grow, so too does its impact on the lives of young Jamaicans, inspiring them to reach for greatness in all aspects of their lives.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Jamaican-born Olympian Linford Christie honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award by Sporting Equals
Legendary sprinter Linford Christie OBE was awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by Sporting Equals on Saturday, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to the world of sport and society. Christie, one of Britain's most decorated athletes, has left an indelible mark on athletics, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations.
The award, presented by Sporting Equals—a charity dedicated to promoting equality in sports for ethnically diverse communities—celebrates an individual who has made a significant impact on sport and society. Christie’s accomplishments on the track, coupled with his dedication to coaching and supporting athletes, made him a fitting recipient of the honour.
Born on April 2, 1960, in Saint Andrew, Jamaica, Christie’s journey to athletic greatness began when he moved to Acton, London, at the age of seven to join his parents, who had emigrated to the United Kingdom five years earlier. Although he excelled in physical education at Henry Compton Secondary School in Fulham, it wasn’t until he was 18 that he took up athletics seriously.
Christie's rise to prominence culminated in his gold medal triumph in the 100m at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, following his silver medal performance in the same event at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. His illustrious career also saw him win World, European, and Commonwealth titles, making him the first man in history to hold all four titles in the 100m simultaneously in 1993. Christie's longstanding British 100m record of 9.87 seconds stood for nearly 30 years before being broken in 2023, cementing his place as one of the fastest men in the world.
After hanging up his spikes, Christie transitioned into coaching, where he has continued to make significant contributions to the sport. As a speed coach, he has mentored a new generation of British sprinters, including Bianca Williams, Ama Pipi, and recent England champion Darcey Kuypers. His expertise and guidance have helped shape the future of British athletics, ensuring that his impact on the sport extends far beyond his competitive years.
Sporting Equals, which was established in 1998 in partnership with the Commission for Racial Equality and Sport England, plays a vital role in promoting race equality in sport and fostering community cohesion. The organization became fully independent in 2005 and has been at the forefront of efforts to eradicate racism in sport. Co-founded by Lorraine Deschamps MBE, Angela Francis, and Beverley Mason FRSA, Sporting Equals achieved charitable status in 2007 and continues to honor individuals like Christie who have made significant contributions to both sport and society.
Veteran track & field coaches Maurice Wilson, Kerrylee Ricketts, and Corey Bennett among honourees at National Coaches Day Awards; USA’s Ryan Crouser to receive special award
The Jamaica Track & Field Coaches Association has announced that esteemed track and field coaches Maurice Wilson, Kerrylee Ricketts, and Corey Bennett are among several coaches who will be honoured on November 15, 2024, as part of the annual National Coaches Day celebrations. The awards recognize long-standing service and contributions to the development of Jamaican athletics, with categories acknowledging coaches' years of dedication and impact on the sport.
The awards, presented across five categories, celebrate the longevity and influence of track and field coaches in Jamaica. The categories include the Silver Award (20-25 years of service), Gold Award (26-30 years), Platinum Award (30-40 years), Lifetime Achievement Award (over 40 years), and the prestigious Master Coach Award. The recipients of these awards were selected by a committee from nominations submitted by members of the Association.
Wilson, a veteran coach with decades of experience guiding athletes to the highest levels of international success, will be presented with the Platinum Award. Joining him in this category are notable figures such as Bertland Cameron, John Mair, Locksley Anderson, Richard Derby, Patrick Johnson, and Clarence Greenfield. Wilson has been a pivotal figure in the development of numerous Olympic and World Championship athletes, and his continued excellence in the field is well-regarded across the sporting world.
Bennett, known for his exceptional work with youth athletes and his contributions to the success of Jamaica’s junior programs, will be awarded the Gold Award. Bennett's influence has extended across multiple levels of the sport, from high school to the international stage, helping to cultivate the next generation of Jamaican track and field talent. Alongside Bennett in the Gold Award category are Lloyd Clarke and Hamlin Pagon.
Ricketts, another influential coach known for developing world-class jumpers, will be honoured with the Silver Award for his contribution to the sport. Ricketts has been instrumental in shaping athletes who have represented Jamaica with distinction in regional and global competitions. Joining him in receiving the Silver Award are Joyclyn Gibson, Marlo Kinghorn, Milton Seargeant, Megan Wilson-Copeland, Marsha Simpson-Montaque, and Gavin James.
The awards ceremony, which will take place under the theme "The Coach: Developing, Empowering and Enriching Athletes," will also honour four coaches with Lifetime Achievement Awards, including Mike Ollivierre, Victor “Poppie” Thomas, Leacroft Bolt, and Raymond “KC” Graham. These veteran coaches have each contributed more than 40 years of service to Jamaican athletics, playing pivotal roles in nurturing talent and elevating the nation's track and field reputation on the world stage.
Additionally, American coach Ryan Crouser will receive the Hector-Smith Master Coach Award for his guidance of Jamaican athlete Roje Stona to a historic gold medal in the men’s discus at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This award is named in honor of the late Jamaican coaching legends Edward Hector and Eldemire Smith.
The Jamaica Track & Field Coaches Association, recognized internationally and endorsed by both the JAAA and World Athletics, has held this annual event since 2022 to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of coaches across all levels of track and field. National Coaches Day, declared by the Governor General of Jamaica, Sir Patrick Linton Allen, on September 27, 2022, serves as a day of recognition for coaches' involvement in athlete development and their significant role in shaping Jamaica’s national psyche.
2019 World champion Tajay Gayle leaves MVP track club
2019 World Championship long jump gold medallist Tajay Gayle has left the MVP track and field club.
No reason has been given as to why the 2019 RJRGleaner National Sportsman of the year left the club based at the University of Technology in Kingston.
However, the 28-year-old national record holder looks set to start working with St. Elizabeth-based jumps coach Kerry-Lee Ricketts, husband of Shanieka Ricketts.
Ricketts has guided the career of his wife to silver medals at the 2019 and 2022 World Championships as well as silver at this summer's Paris Olympics.
Gayle struggled with knee injuries in the 2021 and 2022 seasons before returning to take bronze at last year’s World Championships in Budapest behind teammate Wayne Pinnock and Greece’s Miltiadis Tentoglu.
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