New York, NY (MS. RAINE INC):  Jamaica National Overseas Inc., a Florida-based subsidiary of the Jamaica National Building Society, recently signed on as a corporate supporter of Team Jamaica Bickle's annual mission to assist Jamaican high school athletes competing in the Penn Relays track and field competition in Philadelphia, PA. Celebrating a landmark 15 years of service to Jamaican athletics, TJB has fostered a unique partnership with the University of Pennsylvania to give Caribbean businesses a prime opportunity to promote 'Brand Jamaica' through supporting the island's tradition of athletic excellence and showcasing Jamaican products and services at the annual competition.

 

"We are very excited to be part of Team Jamaica Bickle and Penn Relays this year," states Charles Spence, General Manager of Jamaica National Overseas Inc. "Jamaica National understands the importance of showcasing Jamaican athletics and talents worldwide, and is very proud to contribute to our nation's longstanding history of outstanding athletics."

 

"Team Jamaica Bickle is extremely thankful and excited that Jamaican National is partnering with us this year," states TJB President, Irwine Clare. "Corporate support is critical to us keeping our pledge to provide transportation, accommodations, amenities, and financial support to our high school teams at Penn Relays. Team Jamaica Bickle is grateful to all of our sponsors, community partners and volunteers for providing an invaluable service to the young people of Jamaica." 

 

Born in 1994 out of necessity to provide Jamaican athletes and officials with safe and secure transportation, accommodations, meals, and amenities during Penn Relays, TJB has earned a reputation for being the signature supporters of Jamaican athletics in the United States. TJB is the only Jamaican organization to be a participating sponsor at Penn Relays, resulting in the Jamaican flag being the first foreign flag to be flown on UPenn's Franklin Field during the competition.  Last year, Team Jamaica Bickle launched the 'Team Jamaica on the Road to Beijing' fundraising campaign, raising over $10,000 in support of Jamaican sprinters participating in the XXIX Olympics in Beijing, China. TJB has been influential in supporting the careers of many of Jamaica's greatest sprinters including Olympic gold medalists Veronica Campbell-Brown and Shelly Ann Fraser, and Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Usain Bolt.

 

Held at the University of Pennsylvania from April 23rd-25th, Penn Relays is the oldest and largest annual track and field competition in the United States, attracting more than 15,000 participants from high schools, colleges, and track and field clubs throughout North American and abroad. Last month, USA Track and Field Chief Executive Doug Logan proposed USA vs Jamaica -- a face-to-face competition of the world's two dominating sprinting nations -- citing the lively Penn Relays competition as one of the main reasons for the proposal. Logan, in a letter to Jamaican track executive and representative of the North America, Central America, and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Neville "Teddy" McCook, stated:

 

We have all seen how wildly successful and popular USA vs. the World at the Penn Relays has become thanks to the USA-Jamaica rivalry at this event and the good-natured competition between our countries' fans at Franklin Field...

 

 

"Penn is one of the key international competitions that helps define the professional and educational careers of our young athletes," states Clare. "Jamaica's athletes are our biggest cultural ambassadors. Participating in Penn Relays is a major factor in the worldwide recognition of Jamaican athletics."

 

For more information on TJB contact Irwine Clare at 718-523-2861. To make donations to TJB, log on to www.teamjamaicabickle.com. 

 

For more information on Jamaica National Overseas, Inc. contact their corporate office at 954-676-5755 or log on to www.jnmoneytransfer.com.