Jamaican-born Bronx businessman Walford Stewart, chief executive officer of Brand GOFAAH, has announced plans to honor three prominent Jamaican coaches, including Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) National Youth Technical Director Wendell Downswell.
Downswell will be honored at the St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) World Cup event (Yard vs. Foreign), scheduled for Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, at the iconic STETHS grounds in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica.
Other honorees include Clive “Lazza” Ledgister, a distinguished cricket coach, and Janet Burke, a dedicated netball coach.
Stewart told Caribbean Life on Monday that Downswell was recently conferred with the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer (OD) from the government of Jamaica for his outstanding contribution to football.
As coach of the acclaimed Reggae Boyz from 2004 to 2006, Downswell oversaw the team’s victory in the 2005 Caribbean Cup.
He also coached the Reggae Boys to a silver medal at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro.
“STETHS has a legacy of excellence in sports and a fan base accustomed to winning. Downswell, Ledgister, and Burke will be recognized for their unwavering dedication, leadership, and the pivotal roles they’ve played in developing young athletes at STETHS,” Stewart said.
“The World Cup event, which will feature football, cricket, and netball games, promises to be a vibrant reunion of alumni from the diaspora, current students, and community members, who will unite to celebrate STETHS pride and sportsmanship,” he added.
Stewart said the day’s festivities will conclude with an after-party featuring the renowned Dunrich World Sound system playing alongside JAX International, DJ Rup, and DJ Hayle.
Stewart said about the 2024 football season in Jamaica, “Our team winning the 2024 Ben Franklin schoolboy championship was a long-awaited moment for us to claim silverware again.
“The experiences from this season have been invaluable — not just for the current players, but also for the future crop of athletes who will carry on the legacy,” he added. “It has been a rewarding journey for our fans and a meaningful chapter in the institution’s rich history.”
