National champion Melaine Walker, a past student of Tarrant Primary School hands over a pair of sneakers to Delroy Johnson, a track and field coach at the institution, during a brief presentation ceremony at the school yesterday. - anthony foster

Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Giving back always seems to be a good form of motivation and that was the mood at Tarrant Primary School yesterday when past student and national 400m hurdles champion Melaine Walker donated several pairs of track shoes.

Walker, who was a many-time champion girl at the institution in the early '90s, said this gift will go a far way, particularly to motivate the children.

"I know this can also be a motivation for the young athletes and maybe they will some day be a Melaine Walker and better," she said.

Walker, who is managed by three-time Olympian Juliet Campbell through her company Brick House International, handed over several track shoes and spikes.

The national 400m champion said her donation, which was made in the presence of other Brick House International athletes - Sekou Clarke, former national 400m champion Lanceford Spence and Toni-Ann D'Oyley - will hopefully give the students a head start in the sport.

Give a chance

"I have to give them a chance so that they know that they have hope, and hopefully later when they know that, they will want to move on and later help others," added Walker, who has won medals at three World Junior Championships.

She said it was fitting she give back something to the institution she received a lot from.

"I am happy because I was able to come back and donate, give back something for all that I have received," she added.

President and CEO of Brick House International, Campbell, said gifts like these are often given to high schools, but Walker opted to focus on where her interest in track started. She also said this was a way to get the children at the school more familiar with Walker who graduated from the institution in 1995.

Glentine Edwards, principal of Tarrant, was delighted, but offered a suggestion to other athletes.

"I am going to encourage you to broaden the scope so that other primary schools can be the beneficiary," she said.