Sagicor pledges $16 million for JTA National Athletics Championships

Sagicor will provide $16 million for the 2026 Jamaica Teachers Association Sagicor National Athletics Championships, scheduled for June 26 and 27 at the National Stadium. The 41st staging of the meet will be held under the theme "All Starts Here" and is expected to bring together 1,120 athletes from across Jamaica.

National under-20 record holder Shenoya Douglas, who also won the Champs Class One sprint double, has been named patron for this year's championships. Douglas said she was deeply honoured by the role, describing it as an exciting moment and a recognition of her development in the sport.

Douglas credited meets of this kind with helping to shape her confidence and competitive mindset. She said repeated performances at youth events helped build her self-belief and contributed to the athlete she has become.

Mark Chisholm, chief revenue officer at Sagicor Life Jamaica, said the company's increased sponsorship reflects its interest in both sport and education. He said Sagicor's support for the championships sits alongside wider education initiatives, including scholarships offered through the Sagicor Foundation. Chisholm noted that the $16 million contribution represents a 30 per cent increase over last year's sponsorship.

Chisholm also said Douglas' involvement would strengthen the event, pointing to her personality and profile as assets for the partnership between Sagicor and the JTA.

Winston Robinson, chairman of the Jamaica Teachers Association's National Sports Committee, said this year's meet will include a race for athletes with disabilities. Prep schools will also be part of the championships, while Robinson said the debut of the special athletes' race will be a major addition. Sagicor has further committed to five-year secondary school scholarships for the champion boy and champion girl.