GraceKennedy (GK), title sponsor of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Boys and Girls Athletic Championships (Champs), has announced a J$202 million investment in the 2026 staging of the iconic meet, reaffirming the company’s long-standing commitment to Jamaican youth and athletics.
The announcement was made at the official Champs launch event held on March 11 at the National Arena in Kingston. The investment includes J$108 million in cash sponsorship, bolstered by an additional J$94 million in brand executions from Grace Foods, GraceKennedy Money Services, and First Global Bank.
Speaking at the launch GK Group CEO Frank James said, “We make this investment because we believe deeply in the power of sport to change lives, open doors, and uplift communities. It represents our long-standing commitment to investing in the future of Jamaica and, more importantly, in the next generation of athletes, whose discipline, sacrifice, and ambition inspire all of us.”
In recognition of the significant impact of Hurricane Melissa on western Jamaica, James also announced that GraceKennedy will make a special award of J$104,000 to any school from a western parish whose student wins a final during this year’s championships. The award, which is also a nod to GraceKennedy’s 104th anniversary, will provide direct support to schools as they continue their recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Broadening this support, GraceKennedy Money Services through Western Union has launched its Future Champions initiative for Champs 2026. This programme will see a total investment of J$3 million to assist schools impacted by Hurricane Melissa, particularly in Western Jamaica. Ten schools will each receive J$300,000 to support infrastructure repairs and the recovery of their track and field programmes.
Complementing these efforts, First Global Bank has partnered with the National Education Trust (NET) to identify and support educational institutions requiring critical assistance following the hurricane. Through this partnership, two schools have already been identified, and a total of J$2.5 million will be administered to facilitate targeted recovery projects. The formal presentations of these funds will be made during Champs 2026.
Further supporting the western region, Grace Foods will bring the Champs experience directly to fans in St. Elizabeth, recognizing that many fans may find it difficult to travel to Kingston this year due to the hurricane’s lingering impact. On Saturday, March 28, the final day of the meet, GK Foods will host an official Champs watch party at St. Elizabeth Technical High School in Santa Cruz.
The watch party is expected to create a festive Champs atmosphere in the town, featuring a high-definition broadcast of the finals on large LED screens, courtesy of Television Jamaica (TVJ), allowing fans to experience the excitement of the meet in real time. The event will also include live entertainment, product sampling from Grace and its partners, and surprise giveaways throughout the day.
In 2026 GraceKennedy will also continue the Don Wehby Sportsmanship Award, established in 2025 in honour of the company’s retired Group CEO, who sadly passed away last year. Valued at J$250,000, the award is presented to the school of the male or female athlete who best exemplifies the principles of sportsmanship, as determined in collaboration with ISSA. It recognises athletes who demonstrate fairness, humility, and respect, values that reflect the true spirit of Champs.
The 2026 staging of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Championships will take place March 24 to 28 at the National Stadium in Kingston, bringing together the best young athletes from across Jamaica for one of the most watched events on the country’s sporting calendar.
