Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Sonia Davidson (left), Supreme Ventures' (SVL) vice-president - group corporate communications, presents her company's sponsorship cheque of $5.1 million to Ludlow Watts (right), Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) treasurer, at yesterday's press conference held at the SVL's headquarters in New Kingston. Howard Aris (second right), president of the JAAA, and Gregory Hamilton, a member of the JAAA's executive, look on. - Contributed

THE JAMAICA AMATEUR Athletic Association's (JAAA) preparations for this summer's Beijing Olympics were made a little easier on the pocket yesterday when Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) became the first corporate entity to contribute to the cause.

The company through its vice-president of group corporate communications, Sonia Davidson, presented a sponsorship cheque of $5.1 million to help the JAAA in three key areas.

INVITATIONAL MEET

Of the total handed over at the press conference held at the company's New Kingston office, $1.8 million will go towards the May 3 Jamaica International Invitational meet which will attract athletes such as Veronica Campbell-Brown, Tyson Gay, Wallace Spearmon, Usain Bolt, Sanya Richards, Danny McFarlane and Kerron Clement.

Another $1.5 million will go towards the Supreme Ventures/JAAA National Championships, set to be staged over three days, June 27-29, at the National Stadium.

This will serve as the platform for selection of Jamaica's team to upcoming international track meets such as the 29th Olympiad from August 8-24 in Beijing, among others.

However, most important, $1.8 million will help ease the burden on the JAAA's pocket for the team's preparations - especially with a two-week camp scheduled for China.

Thankful

Ludlow Watts, JAAA treasurer, was thankful for Supreme Ventures' assistance.

"Based on requests from athletes and our own assessment of needs, the preparations budget is US$79,000 (J$5.6 million)," Watts said.

Howard Aris, president of the JAAA, thanked SVL for its continued sponsorship of the JAAA's track and field programme.

'Come out and cheer'

Aris also urged all Jamaicans to "Come out and cheer their favourite athletes to success" at the local meets.

Davidson said: "The SVL team is proud to continue its partnership with the JAAA/Supreme Ventures National Championships for the fifth year in a row.

"The past four years have been a tremendous success; giving our athletes the opportunity to show-case their talents," she said.