World Champion Sprinter Yohan Blake Becomes Ambassador to Telecom Company Lime

February 21, 2012

Telecommunications company LIME have announced a major three-year sponsorship deal with 100m world champion Yohan Blake naming the athlete as its latest brand ambassador.

Under the deal Blake will be a major part of LIME’s 2012 London Olympic Games, as well as the company’s celebration of Jamaica’s 50th year of Independence.

Grace Silvera, LIME’s regional vice-president, would not disclose the value of the deal in which the 22-year-old from St James will join Jamaican sprint colleague Asafa Powell as a brand ambassador, but she added: “Both sides are very happy with the deal.”

Silvera in the meantime was pleased with the acquisition of Blake as a member of the LIME family, joining the likes of World Championships 100m bronze medallist Asafa Powell.

“Yohan represents the spirit, pride, tenacity and excellence that we want the younger athletes to aspire to as well. So when you lift up Yohan you invariably lift up those with him as role models for them to aspire towards that,” she stated.

As a LIME brand ambassador Blake will be expected to attend company events and be part of promotional activities. LIME will also provide telecommunications services for the athlete while he is travelling, especially during this year’s Olympic Games in the Untied Kingdom.

“So when Yohan goes off his friends and family will also be able to stay connected with him through LIME, so we facilitate telecommunications for him, his management and his team as well,” Silvera said.

LIME are making a $300,000 (£189,342/€226,818) donation to Blake’s charitable organisation, the YB Afraid Foundation.

The new arrangement, announced at St Jago High School in Spanish Town, which Blake attended, will see the sprinter playing a part in the company’s promotional events at the London 2012 Olympic Games as well as in their celebration of Jamaica’s 50th year of independence.

“I feel very special,” Blake said. 

“Coming back to my alma mater to let them see what I have achieved so young kids can look at this and say ‘OK, I can follow Yohan’s footsteps’.”

Speaking about his Foundation, Blake added: “I didn’t get born with a gold spoon in my mouth, so giving back to the community is great for me.”

by Ismail Uddin