The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

A partnership between the urban renewal programme, a generous corporate citizen and a local martial arts institute led to an upgrade in the facility which serves scores of young athletes.

BTC donated a new carpet and karate floor mat to “Smokey’s Karate School” at the school’s location on Soldier Road. School director, black belt and XMA specialist, Ronald “Smokey” Martin said the much needed assistance will be able to help the development of all school members.

“To have BTC assist us in what we need in our endeavour is an awesome experience. We have been struggling for so long on our own and to have their assistance is beyond words,” he said. “I’m pleased and proud to know that I am in charge of this awesome group of kids and to know that we have BTC supporting us.

With the upgrade, Martin said there is more to come from his school and young martial arts practitioners.

“You can expect big things from us. BTC has given us that extra boost we needed,” he said. “They are still discussing helping us with bags and equipment and anything else we may need, but I am glad because of all the way the kids can benefit from the equipment that will be used in our practice sessions. The sky is the limit for them.”

The flooring was completed at an estimated value of $3,000.

Jerome Sawyer, senior marketing manager at BTC, said the value of the flooring could not be overlooked for several reasons.

“A few months ago we were approached about providing carpeting for the school and that may seem like a very small thing, but it was significant for them because this is their practice area and obviously it has to be a place that is safe for the children. Additionally, the building downstairs is a place of business, and with all this activity going on, they couldn’t conduct business. So [the school] was in jeopardy of having to leave this space because they could not afford to put the carpeting in and they were gracious enough to put the ‘BTC Everyday’ logo on the mat.”

The relationship between the two groups was facilitated by the urban renewal programme of the area and officer Don Dorsette.

“We first learned of this group over two years ago when they performed on the Cyntia ‘Mother’ Pratt Park and at the time our CEO Geoff Houston and I think the whole staff was so impressed with them, that we began somewhat of a relationship with them,” Sawyer said.

“A large part of what we do in the community is to help programmes that help young people, particularly in the inner city. A lot of our projects this year will be assisting inner city programmes, including those projects which may have been overlooked perhaps it’s not a more popular sport like basketball and track and field, so for us it’s just an opportunity to do something that we thought will have great impact.”