Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell who was once the world’s fastest man, was the guest of honour at the school courtesy of the telecommunications company LIME. He was there as part of LIMES’ CARIFTA Schools Sports Campaign competition, involving LIME mobile customers across the region who took part in a text promotion with an opportunity to win prizes and select a school for a $5,000 sports makeover. It was pointed out that the prize money would go towards purchasing equipment and enhancing sports and physical education resources at the school.
The big winner out of the 12 LIME territories was Franklin Joseph, a former student of Canon Laurie, who along with the $5,000 prize got an added bonus when the school was chosen as the one to spend “A Day with Asafa.”
That’s not all. Joseph was also the recipient of a Motorola W233 mobile phone and a LIME CARIFTA gift package.
It was certainly a day to remember for the young students. Powell was a big hit from the moment he walked through the gates of the school Tuesday morning, accompanied by LIME’s General Manager, Sean Auguste and two students. It was standing room only inside the packed auditorium where Powell received a hero’s welcome.
Following welcome remarks from school officials, Permanent Secretary in the Department of Youth and Sports, Donovan Williams, delivered a short speech praising the accomplishments of Powell. He told students they should try to emulate outstanding Caribbean people like him.”
Once considered the world’s fastest man Asafa Powell who is the centre of attraction in this photo could not escape this enthusiastic group of students waiting for his autograph while accompanied by LIME official Terry Finisterre.
Williams recalled the popular slogan, “I want to be like Mike” which referred to former basketball star Michael Jordan, however, in order to give the young students someone to identify with he coined his own phrase: “You should want to try to be like Asafa, people that have all the qualities that you need to be successful.”
With the formal proceedings out of the way, the students took over and delighted the audience with a skit, poem, folk medley and dance.
Powell, who thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment, spoke fondly of his visit to St Lucia and recalled his boyhood days in Jamaica. He told the students “you are the future of the Caribbean”and reminded them that “education comes first because after sport there is life.”
He was mobbed by students when leaving the school. They all wanted to touch the man who left a lasting impression on them and undoubtedly many more across the region.
