As the patron, Pandohie will be the primary spokesperson for the event and will use his traditional and social media platforms to promote the Games scheduled for Kingston from April 16 - 18.
An estimated 500 athletes from across the region are expected to compete at what will be the 49th staging of the event.
Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Mikel Fennell, made the announcement at the weekly meeting on Friday.
“It’s a happy day when on behalf of the LOC, we can welcome our patron. He is one of the brightest minds representing business in the corporate sector, having transformed the Seprod Group of Companies into one of the most dynamic companies in the region,” Fennell said.
“His association with the Games which seeks to convert the lives of young people in the same way as he has done with the manufacturing and distribution company makes him a natural fit for this role.”
In accepting, Pandohie said he is aware of the magnitude of the appointment.
“I understand fully the role I have to perform,” he said. “There is so much in Jamaica that comes with what sport (track and field) has to offer in the process of developing world-beaters.
JAAA President Garth Gayle acknowledged Pandohie’s appointment saying that his contribution will be of “tremendous value, not just to the Games, but to track and field in Jamaica.”
The Red Carpet Ball joins a long list of events which have moved online due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The event will be held under the Distinguished Patronages of the Jamaican Ambassador to the USA, Her Excellency, Audrey P. Marks, and Principals Messrs. Dave Myrie and Albert Corcho of Kingston College and Calabar High School, respectively.
The approximately two-hour-long program will feature the scholarship recipients of Calabar High School and Kingston College alumni and parents. The public will get the chance to learn more about the program through vignettes and carefully curated content which will showcase the institutions and the students under their charge.
The foundation will also honour two of Jamaica’s distinguished sons and exemplars of excellence Richard Pandohie, CEO of Seprod and a Calabar Old Boy and Rainford Wilks, Professor Emeritus, Caribbean Institute for Health and Research and a KC Old Boy.
DWHF awards scholarships to deserving young men of Kingston College and Calabar High School.
Since 2009, the scholarship initiative has funded students from grades eight through 13 covering tuition, books, lunch and other school-related expenses. To date, over 30 scholarships exceeding J$13 Million dollars have been awarded.
Recipients are selected from a shortlist of nominees and must display commendable academic performance and deportment; be involved in extracurricular activities, and are deemed in need of financial assistance.
This year has proven to be a challenging one for students against the backdrop of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Schools were forced to shift to online classes, which students are struggling with the new remote learning environment with many being without basic tools such as internet connectivity and devices needed to access lessons. These setbacks have caused increased stress and concerns for both parents and students, alike.
The foundation has stepped in to alleviate some of these issues. In addition to the JMD$2.1 million disbursed for the school year 2020/2021; each recipient was presented with a brand new laptop for a total value of JA$500,000.00.
JMD$2 million was disbursed to facilitate the schools’ technological upgrade of their equipment and framework with each school receiving $JMD$1 million.
“Presenting our scholarship recipients with laptops was a major goal for us during this pandemic and we are extremely happy to have done so,” said Christopher Hunt, chairman of the Foundation and younger brother to the late David Hunt. “We are also thrilled to have been able to include the schools in our allocation allowing them to create a more inclusive and advanced learning environment with much needed technological and infrastructural upgrades.”
Patrons will be entertained by some of Jamaica’s top reggae acts; Kabaka Pyramid, Fab 5 Band, Paul Blake and Pam Hall who have all donated their time to this worthy cause. Emcees for the evening are Leighton “Fyah” McKnight and Radio Broadcaster Dervan Malcolm.
Gracious support was provided by sponsors, VMBS, Proven Wealth, The Gibson-Mc-Cook Relays. Steuart Foundation and Penthouse Recording Studios. The show is being produced by Duane McDonald.
For more information or to make a donation, you may visit our website www.davidwaggahunt.org.
