Photo: PUMA sponsored Javon Francis speaking to the young athletes at the launch of the INSPORTS Primary Schools Athletic Championships last week.
PUMA sponsored athlete Javon Francis has used his status as Jamaica’s leading quarter miler to inspire the next generation of athletes who are likely to come through and represent the country in a few years.
Francis was a guest speaker at the launch of the INSPORTS Primary Schools Athletic Championships last week. He used his personal experiences to encourage the students in attendance to chase their own dreams.
“I ran at primary champs but I was not a great star. Over the years I told myself that I must run for Jamaica and make my mom proud and make my country proud of me and I live to see my dream come true.”
The Commonwealth Games 400m bronze medalist had a message for the young athletes as well as their coaches.
“I just want to say to the young athletes here today, only the best is good enough, so just keep on working hard and coaches, just guide and protect these young athletes.”
The Ministry of Sports made a donation of 400 PUMA spikes to the 89 schools that will participate in the four day championship that begins this Wednesday May 9th and Francis joked about the first time he received a pair of running spikes himself.
“The first time I got a spikes I looked at my coach and said – coach what is this?”
There will be 2890 students participating at the 38th staging of the championships which end on Saturday and while he is far removed from those days, Francis still remembers the first time he graced the National Stadium.
“I remember the first time running at the stadium, I said to myself, wow, this is a big place, what am I gonna do? My coach said, just go out there and have fun and I just went out there and had fun,” he recalled.
Naggo Head Primary are the defending champions and they will be seeking their ninth lien on the coveted title.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login