JAMAICA will for the first time in its history field a junior male team at the International Tae kwon do Federation (ITF) World Championships in Argentina between November 22 and December 2.

A strong junior male team comprising Dominic Young and Ackeem Lawrence, both of Jamaica College; Calabar's Bradley Evans and Oshane Murray, Shamar Morgan of Kingston College and Kenroy Gordon of St James High has been gathered to represent Jamaica at the ITF's most prestigious competition.

Despite its strong international showing in recent years, sending successful teams to the US World Continental Team Fighting Championship and other top tournaments, the island has never sent a youth team to the world championships.

Jamaica had junior representatives at the last two championships, former Wolmer's Boys' student Nicholas Dussard in 2005 and Campion College's Tashanua Grannum, the first female junior in 2007.

Massive investment

Seniors had competed in previous championships, 1990, 1998, 2001 and 2003, in addition to 2005 and 2007.

Much is expected of the junior males in whom massive investment has been made since 2005.

Young and Morgan are 18 and in their final years as juniors, leading 16-year-olds Lawrence, Evans and Gordon, who is considered one of the most talented local junior, whereas Gordon is 15.

Jason McKay, Jamaica combined martial arts team captain and sponsor of the high schools' programme through which the youngsters rose, said he was proud to see them through to the world championships.

"We're pleased with how the project has turned out as, we believe over the last four years, hundreds of boys have participated at different times and it is now thriving with almost 200 in training," he pointed out.

Of the six members of the team, five are part of the McKay Security tae kwon do programme which began in 2005.

The McKay Security tae kwon do high schools' programme was originally created to reduce the levels of violence in all-boys' high schools, a cooperative agreement between the firm and Jamaica Tae kwon do.

The programme was conceptualised by the company's CEO, McKay, who, at the time, was also marketing director for Jamaica Tae kwon do.