UWI, Mona Campus Partners with Colombian Government for Drug Awareness Sports Campaign

The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus in association with The Embassy of Colombia officially launched its “Plan Integral de Prevención 20+ (PIP20+)” here in Jamaica on Monday 21^st November, 2011 at the campus Council Room.

The programme will see the institution being host to a group of 12 young athletes and 3 coaches from Colombia during the week November 21-25, which will engage UWI students in three days of track and field training.

PIP20+ was developed in an attempt to reduce the recruitment of minors by illegal armed groups through the creation of projects. These projects seek to improve the quality of life of children and adolescents in 20 particularly vulnerable municipalities in Colombia. They also aim to provide opportunities for character building and adoption of values through sports, as well as promote social and economic development in the region.

According to Director of Sports at the University of the West Indies Dalton Myers, “The partnership between UWI and Colombia stems from the visit of the Colombian President Dr Juan Manuel Santos Calderón to Jamaica in 2010. The UWI hopes to use this initiative to further enhance the relationship between Colombia and UWI by facilitating these young athletes in the various activities. I believe that initiatives like this can only help to broaden the scope of sports development and further help these athletes recognise how sports can be used as a vehicle for personal and professional growth.

The visiting group comprises 3 female and 9 male adolescents accompanied by the coaches. They will be participating in a programme involving 3 days of track and field training on the Mona Campus while interacting with students.  The group is also expected to meet Champion track and field athletes from Racers Track Club and MVP including The University of Technology’s (UTECH) Asafa Powell and Shelly-Ann Fraser on Tuesday and Usain Bolt at the UWI Bowl on Wednesday.

Visits will also be made to Jamaica College to meet with other sports personalities as well as the Bob Marley Museum.

During the visit to the Mona Campus in November 2010, President Santos and Professor the Hon. Gordon Shirley, Principal of the Mona Campus, had both expressed their interest in greater collaboration between the UWI and Colombia. It is to this end that the University of the West Indies and the Embassy of Colombia are partnering for the delivery of this project.

The Project is the brainchild of Colombian President, Dr Juan Manuel Santos Calderón and Maria Angela Holguin from the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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