Yohan Blake joins Asafa Powell as a LIME brand ambassador

By Mike Rowbottom

February 20 - Yohan Blake, Jamaica's 100 metres world champion, has signed a three-year sponsorship deal with telecommunications company LIME.

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."

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."

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