19 For Skilled, Certified & Qualified Workers With Experience, 22-50 Years Such As Caregivers, Nurses, Nannies Teachers, Chefs, Bakers, Construction & Hotel Workers & More NEW YORK: T EAM JAMAICA Bickle (TJB) has welcomed the return of Jamaican athletes to the Penn Relays for 2022 as COVID-19 restrictions ease across the USA and the Caribbean. The organisation was well into planning mode in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic halted most sporting activities worldwide. The 125th staging of the Penn Relays will take place at Franklin Field, University of Pennsylvania, April 28-30. Irwine Clare, Snr, in expressing his delight at the return of athletes to Pennsylvania, said: “We know that our athletes have trained hard to showcase their prowess on the international stage and must be thrilled to be back on this revered stage for track and field, not only for bragging rights, but most importantly, to secure scholarships to colleges and universities overseas. We know many of themwould have been disappointed over the two-year absence even while scaled down versions were held.” He noted, however, that many were able to take up opportunities through scholarships during the hiatus as their body of work would have allowed colleges to make those decisions. Jamaicans from across the United States make the annual trek to Pennsylvania by the thousands to support the athletes. It is truly a Jamaican experience as the Jamaican flag is flown resplendent at Franklin Field while a sea of Team Jamaica Bickle welcomes return of athletes for Penn Relays Sports Minister Babsie Grange addresses the large gathering of members of the Diaspora at the team Jamaica Bickle awards ceremony on Saturday at the Penn Relays. FILE CLARE Jamaican colours paint the stands. While the athletes busy themselves with competition, volunteers of Team Jamaica Bickle and Caribbean Food Delights - with whom they have been in partnership for over 25 years - earnestly prepare their meals. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, consisting of delicious Jamaican menu items such as ackee and saltfish, callaloo, fried dumplings, curried goat, and brown-stewed chicken, are prepared like clockwork over the three days of competition. For 2022, the set-up will be different, with plans to havemeals pre-packaged and available for pick-up by team managers at the hotel or on location at the relays in order to minimise contact under COVID-19 protocols. Most schools make use of the coordinated services and hugely discounted accommodation rates negotiated by the organiSation for what is considered the team hotel. Assistance is also given with ground transportation, including daily shuttles to the stadium, and a physiotherapy team, led by Dr Thien Dang-Tan, is on standby to provide the much-needed service to the athletes. As is customary, withweeks to go, the organisation is knee deep in planning, with a slew of fundraising activities. The highlight will be a luncheon to be held on Sunday, April 24, 12 noon to 5 p.m., at the Crest Hollow Country Club, 8325 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury NY. Noted Olympian and educator Vilma B. Charlton, OD, will be honoured with the Pioneer in Athletics & Exemplary Leader in Sport Award. Other honorees are Stephen Drummond, Esq; Dawn Warren, Esq., David Warren, Esq., and JoAnne Squillace, Esq. Team Jamaica Bickle, Inc is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organisation, based in New York, formed in 1994 under the leadership of Irwine G. Clare Sr to provide hospitality support for Jamaican athletes who compete at the annual Penn Relays Carnival, held at the University of Pennsylvania. Team Jamaica Bickle, Inc supports athletes, athletic and youth programmes across the Caribbean and the United States. In 1999, Team Jamaica Bickle became the first Jamaican organisation to be a participating sponsor at the Penn Relays. As a result, the Jamaican flag became the first foreign nation’s flag to be flown at the Penn Relays, a distinction unmatched. Over the years, TJB has received several proclamations and awards from numerous local and national entities. Contact 718-523-2861 or email teamjamaicabickle@gmail.com. THE MONTHLY GLEANER | APRIL 4 - 30, 2022 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | PENN RELAYS FEATURE
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