NCB sure Intercol Champs will produce more fine athletes

Having signed 200m World Championships silver medallist Elaine Thompson and sprinter Julian Forte as brand ambassadors following their outstanding performances at the inaugural National Commercial Bank (NCB) Intercollegiate Track and Field Championships last year, Belinda Williams, NCB group corporate communications manager remains confident this weekend's event will expose another fine cadre of athletes.

The two-day championships will take place today and tomorrow at the National Stadium.

National Commercial Bank announced another whopping $3 million sponsorship at their NCB Wellness and Recreation Centre on Phoenix Avenue on Wednesday.

Williams was quick to point out that besides Thompson, and Julian Forte, 10 other Intercol athletes went on to represent Jamaica at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, China.

"It was a significant feat and accomplishment coming out of last year's championships for us to have been able to identify two student ambassadors that we were significantly looking at earmarking for a strategy that we are doing in terms of our business development for the youth segment," she said.

NCB, title sponsors of the event for the second year, will also be donating $100,000 in bursaries each to the top male and female performers.

"Every time Elaine (Thompson) goes out there and does a magnificent feat or on it, you know we pay for that because she is our brand ambassador. So too, is Julian (Forte)," Williams continued.

She stressed that with 2016 being an Olympic year, Thompson and Forte were used to launch "NCB's hashtag excellence (social media) JA programme, which is not just about sporting excellence, but excellence in Jamaica overall."