JCF trio to rep Ja at Bahamas Dragon Boat Festival

A TRIO of policemen stationed at the St Catherine South Police Division have been invited to compete as members of the team representing Jamaica at the August 30-31 Bahamas International Dragon Boat Festival at Goodman's Bay, Nassau.

Constable Rushaine Tyrell and District Constable Jason McKay, members of the McKay Security team that won mixed-team gold at the Jamaica Dragon Boat Festival in June, have been joined by Corporal Oshane Wilson, a powerlifter drafted to the squad after standing out during training.

Weighing in at more than 300 lbs, Wilson will sit mid-boat, third right. Being one of the heaviest and strongest, his placement provides raw power to the boat.

Tyrell, next-heaviest member of the team, will also sit mid-boat, providing power needed at the oars. Tyrell is a former footballer, who played in the St Catherine Football Association leagues. His performance at the Jamaica Dragon Boat Festival made him an automatic selection for the Bahamas International.

Meanwhile, McKay, a renowned sportsman, representing Jamaica in martial arts and rugby, has served the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for more than 20 years, establishing himself as a standout officer, especially in the St Catherine South Division.

Sponsored by McKay Security, the dragon-boat team representing Jamaica has in its line-up seven International Sport Kick-Boxing Association's Amateur Members Association (ISKA AMA) World Championship gold medallists, including three current world champions - Akino Lindsay, Richard Stone and Akeem Lawrence - captained by former fighter McKay.

The team will also include two footballers from the St Catherine Football Association's leagues, alongside navigator Gregory Forsythe. Neil Yap Sam, vice-president of the Jamaica Dragon Boat Federation, has been named helmsman of the tailored squad.