JAMAICA’S two-time Paralympian gold medallist Alphanso Cunningham is delighted that his hard work has finally paid off after being named an Ambassador for telecommunications giant Digicel.
Cunningham, who won gold in the discus at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and javelin gold at the London 2012 Olympics, will rub shoulders with Usain Bolt and Christopher Gayle in representing Digicel.“It means a lot to me and it means that the hard work that you put in throughout the years, and it doesn’t matter how long, but one day your work will show and it’s a great accomplishment and a great milestone for me,” he told the Jamaica Observer.“I must say many thanks to Digicel for the sponsorship, and to add a paralympian to their family. I am so happy right now and this encourages me and persons within the disabled community and my fellow athletes to just continue working hard, because they see where it can pay off,” he added.Meanwhile, Tahnida Nunes, Digicel’s sponsorship manager, revealed that Cunningham’s contract is on par with that of double Olympic sprint champions Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.“We didn’t do him any less than anybody else. He will be signing a contract similar to Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser and Christopher Gayle, and he will be joining a family of great men and women at Digicel, who make up our ambassadors,” Nunes had said after the signing.Cunningham, 33, currently in Lyon, France, with the team, has promised to improve on his regional record in the javelin with a world-record throw on Friday.He won gold in the men’s F52/53 javelin at the London Paralympic Games with a throw of 21.84m, and look set to improve on that mark.“Just look out for great things like what you saw at the UTech classic,” he said.The celebrated Cunningham shattered the world record in the F53 javelin at the UTech Knights Track and Field Classic in April throwing 22.83m and 22.75.m. The former record was 22.08m.When quizzed as to the level playing field announced by Digicel’s Nunes with the world’s fastest man and woman in Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce as an ambassador, Cunningham was more than pleased.“Now we see where all that changes. Everything changes. She announced that it’s the same with Usain Bolt. I am very shocked and honoured because it’s not always a level field,” he pointed out.“Now we know that we are level, it’s a great accomplishment. It’s the same sweat, same work and to be up on the podium, it’s the same podium they stand on and it’s the same. I sit on it and listen to the national anthem. It’s a great feeling for me,” said Cunningham.Alphanso Cunningham (second right) signing off on a contract to be an Ambassador of Digicel under the watchful eyes of Tahnida Nunes (sitting left), Digicel’s sponsorship manager, at the Courtleigh Hotel on July 12. Sharing in the occasion are (from left) Mike Fennell, JOA president; Suzanne Harris-Henry, of the Jamaica Paralympic Association (JPA); JAAA president Dr Warren Blake; Natalie Neita-Headley, minister with responsibility for sports; and Christopher Samuda, president of JPA. (PHOTO: LIONEL ROOKWOOD)View the original article here
Cunningham delighted with being Digicel Ambassador
