By Tony Becca - From The Boundary 
THE dawn of a new year is a time to wish, and particularly to those involved in sports and especially so to those who will be hunting glory for themselves and the country, best wishes for a great 2003.
As it has been for so many years, last year was wonderful for Jamaica, and with the cheers, the sounds of triumph that greeted a performance like that of Usain Bolt's brilliant run in the 200 metres at the World Junior Championships at the National Stadium still echoing in our ears, with the country still beaming with pride following the outstanding performances of cricketers Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Marlon Samuels and Jermaine Lawson, and others like Michael Blackwood who won the 400 metres gold medal at the Commonweal Games and finished number one in the world in the event, the wish is that this year will be as good and better.
The wish, for example, is that Jamaica's cricketers will retain the regional four-day title and win the International Series and the one-day contest after losing both finals last year, that the West Indies will win the World Cup in South Africa and defeat Australia in the Test series, that Jamaicans will win many gold medals at the Pan American Games and the World Championships, that like the World Junior Athletic Championships, the World Netball Championship to be staged in Jamaica will be a success and that Jamaica will cover themselves in glory by winning it.
Like the World Juniors, the success of the netball championship will not be determined only by the success of the Jamaica team. It will also be determined by the organisation, by the attendance and the atmosphere at the matches, and part of the wish is that it will at least be as well organised and as well supported as the World Juniors.
To be as good or better than last year will not be easy. Such is the talent, the skill and the courage of Jamaicans, however, that they are confident that their ambassadors will be so good that by the time December comes around there will be more, much more, to celebrate.
What is important, however, is that the Jamaicans in action, in whatever sport, give it their best shot. Once they do that, they are sure to do well, and if they do well but do not win, Jamaicans will still be proud of them.
Last year was a good one for Jamaica, this year can be better. Best wishes to those who, on and off the field, on and off the track, and on off the court, will be in the hunt.
