Usain Bolt of Jamaica, poses on the medal stand prior to being awarded the gold medal in the men’s 200-meter event on day 13 of the 2008 Beijing Olympics on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008. (Bloomberg Photo)

By Beverly Melbourne

The world’s fastest man Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt has donated an autographed track jersey to the 2009 CIFA Gala Dinner for Excellence to be held at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman on 5 June.
The Jamaican world record breaker agreed to donate the vest to the Cayman Islands Football Association following a personal request from CIFA’s President Jeffrey Webb.

Bolt was contacted through Digicel, one of the Cayman Islands Football Association’s partners who assisted in making his decision possible although never meeting with President Webb.

Webb was understandably thrilled that Bolt had agreed to donate the jersey, highlighting in particular the huge capacity of supporters he has in the Cayman Islands and globally and had this to say, “Usain Bolt is more than just an athlete, he is an icon in Jamaica and globally. I am thrilled that he has recognized the importance of the Cayman Centre for Excellence and the significance of this historic event.”

“Hopefully his generous gift will help tremendously in funding further development of the program and allowing us to start reaping its rewards soon.”

Bolt’s jersey has been added to an impressive list of items to be auctioned at the 2009 CIFA Gala Dinner for Excellence, to be held on Friday 5 June at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman.

The auction is set to include signed shirts and memorabilia from the world’s top clubs and countries, including England, Germany and Brazil, and a special item donated by the President of World Football himself.

FIFA President Joseph “Sepp” Blatter, will be attending the dinner as Guest of Honour, he has donated a football signed by the FIFA Football Committee, a body which includes many of the greatest players ever to have graced the game, including Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer, Eusebio, Sir Bobby Charlton and George Weah.

The ball, signed at the FIFA World Player of the Year Gala last year, represents football’s celebrated history, and is a unique gift from the man that holds the highest position in world football.

Last year, President Blatter donated two shirts from the Nelson Mandela 80th birthday celebrations, items which proved hugely popular at the auction.

This year’s donation is even more prestigious, as the FIFA Football Committee represents the soul of football, and its history. CIFA President Jeffrey Webb has thanked the FIFA President for his generous donation, recognizing the historic and sentimental value of the gift.

“When a football fan hear the names Pelé, Beckenbauer, Weah, and Eusebio, they will appreciate the significance of this item. The Football Committee is made up of the greatest players ever to have played the game, and the value of this item is in its history and what it represents to the world’s favorite game.”

“We are honoured that the FIFA President has seen it fit to donate this item, and will be presenting it to the winning bidder in person at the Dinner for Excellence. This is set to be a thrilling climax to an historic evening.”

All proceeds from this year’s auction will go towards the development of the Cayman Islands Centre for Excellence in Prospect.

The Centre for Excellence is a long-term vision of the Cayman Islands Football Association to provide the Cayman Islands young talents with state-of-the-art facilities in which to hone their skills.

The Dinner for Excellence is to be held on Friday 5 June at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman.