Kingston Approves Renaming Ashoka Road to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive in Honor of Star Athlete's Achievements
October 11, 2024
Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation approves renaming Ashoka Road to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive in honor of her track achievements and community contributions. Plans for celebrating her legacy underway.
KINGSTON – The Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation has approved the renaming of Ashoka Road in Waterhouse as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive.
Councillor for the Waterhouse Division, Byron Clarke, moved the resolution during Tuesday’s meeting of the council at the Marcus Garvey Council Chamber, 24 Church Street, downtown Kingston.
The honour is in recognition of Fraser-Pryce’s stellar achievements in track and field, and unwavering dedication and contribution to the Waterhouse community and the wider Jamaica.
Born and raised on Ashoka Road, Fraser-Pryce is a ten-time World Champion and has secured eight Olympic medals.
She is the only sprinter, male or female, to win five world titles in the 100-metre (2009, 2013, 2015, 2019 and 2022).
Clarke hailed the star athlete as an excellent role model and example of hope and positivity, noting that Fraser-Pryce has had a great impact on the lives of many young athletes through her Pocket Rocket Foundation, providing assistance through scholarships and grants.
Clarke said Fraser-Pryce is “more than deserving of this honour”, noting that it will serve as an inspiration for future generations.
“As the local representative for the division, I recognise and memorialise Mrs Fraser-Pryce for her determination, commitment, resilience, patriotic favour and willingness to serve her country and community. She embraces life with a passion of purpose through hard work, philosophy and an unwavering spirit,” Clarke said.
“Her greatness and worthiness for this recognition cannot be defined solely on the basis of her accomplishment on the track; her true value transcends athleticism.”
Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, said that plans are under way to celebrate the athlete’s work and legacy.
He said that discussions in this regard have commenced with the Civic Committee; the principal of her alma mater, Wolmers’ Girls High School; members of the Pocket Rocket Foundation and others. (CMC)
