Intercol’s Beckford hails performances at Americas Games

Jamaica Intercollegiate Sports Association President Paul Beckford has hailed the country’s outstanding performance at the FISU Americas Games in Lima, Peru, where a six-member team captured three gold medals, one silver, and secured a finalist spot in the javelin.

Beckford, vice-principal at G.C. Foster College and a member of the management team in Lima, expressed gratitude to the participating institutions — University of Technology; University of the Commonwealth Caribbean; College of Agriculture, Science and Education; G.C. Foster College; Shortwood Teachers’ College; The Mico University College; and Louisiana State University — for supporting their student-athletes.

He also thanked H & L Ultimate Touch Promotions Limited; the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport; the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association; and the Jamaica Olympic Association for making the team’s participation possible.

Beckford said the athletes’ achievements highlighted the strength of Jamaica’s tertiary sports programme and reflected the sacrifices made by institutions and partners. He added that the success should encourage corporate Jamaica to invest more in university and college sports, providing greater opportunities for student-athletes to excel internationally.

In congratulating the athletes, coaches, institutions, and sponsors, Beckford described the team’s performance as a historic achievement for intercollegiate and Jamaican sport.