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GC FOSTER College of Physical Education & Sport launched celebrations for the institution’s 45th anniversary on the school grounds in Angels, Spanish Town, yesterday, targeting $45 million to cover expenses related to the activities to mark the milestone.
Acting principal, Paul Beckford, said their target is no small matter but expressed confidence in achieving their objective.
“This year’s goal is to raise a minimum of $45 million,” he told the gathering consisting of local sports dignitaries such as Jamaica Basketball Asssocition president Paulton Gordon, Olympian Juliet Campbell, and former Calabar star sprinter Daniel England (online).
“This does not seem like a drop in the bucket. But by God’s grace, we can and will achieve this. “
He pointed out that the activities the organisation has planned will, in the long term, make the school more attractive and have greater access to resources.
“Our attraction status will be enhanced, our heritage status will take on a whole new value, our incoming students will have access to more equipment and a more welcoming environment.
“Subsequent generations will benefit more than our predecessors. That is our aim and we invite everyone in the world to join the cause as we look forward to a successful year, and for years to come, “ he said.
In an encouraging start, there was over $250,000 in commitments, including a commitment of US$1000, at the launch, which started with president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Garth Gayle committing $45,000.
Gayle pointed out that GC Foster’s impact on the local sporting and academic landscape is immeasurable and implored local sports lovers across the diaspora to also give towards the cause.
“The amount of coaches, senior national athletes that have shaped the Jamaican sporting and education landscape is too numerous to mention. The product of GC Foster, the traditions, resilience means so much to me. It is an honour, and congratulation to GC Foster on the milestone it has achieved, “ said Gayle, an alumnus.
“I will make my first pledge of $45,000. So you have started with $45,000 and I ask my colleagues in the diaspora to double or triple that,” he added.
Celebration activities will get under way on Saturday, May 24 with the Fosolympics, where seven regions will be assigned a colour and compete in cricket, football, track and field, netball, volleyball and dominoes on the day. There will be prizes, including MVPs, and medals for eveybody.
The main activity takes place in the week of October 26 - November 1, when students from past and present will converge on the campus for a church service, an open day, a sports symposium, a grand gala, and other fundraisers. There will also be the launch of a scholarship, the launch of a commemorative magazine, the start of the making of a documentary, which will be released next year, along with the unveiling of the 45th-year mural.
GC Foster chairman Vishwanauth Tolan noted that the school took its time to evolve to where it is today, and even though there were a lot of stumbles along the way, the organisation was proud of what it has become today.
“We have had some tremendous graduates, talent that are contributing to Jamaica’s overall base, and not only in sports but in administration. We are even facilitating exchange programmes at the government level.
“If somebody wants something done in Jamaica, who do they come to? GC Foster. No other institution can lend that type of support. If Australia wants something done or China, the Ministry of Education, sports or even the foreign affairs ministry, the call is made to the principal’s office at GC Foster College.
“The institution will always focus on capacity building and building of relationships to foster academic development and community empowerment, “ he said.
Tolan believes, even with all that, there is still more to achieve.
“I stand proud of what we have achieved and I want more done. More can be done and we will get it done. We are on the right path to a secure, stable and sustainable pathway to develop the main task for the business of sport. As chairman of this noble institution, that is what we aim to continue to do at the policy board level.
English (US) ·