– Balford Henry
Thursday, March 08, 2012:
Britain’s Prince Harry (His Royal Highness, Prince Henry of Wales) ended a four-day visit to Jamaica Thursday (March 08) during which he not only learnt dancehall moves but beat world champion sprinter, Usain Bolt, in friendly sprint rivalry on the campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI).
Wednesday, the Prince visited the downtown Kingston offices of Rise Life Management Services, a local NGO which provides drug abuse and violence prevention, remedial education and health-related services to Jamaicans living in the inner-city communities. Rise also offers a violence-prevention community programme for youths from violence-prone communities like Allman Town, Fletchers Land, Southside, Tel Aviv, Tower Hill, Drewsland and Waterhouse
Prince Harry went on a short tour of the East Street facility, met with the Rise Kids’ Club members, viewed items exhibited by young entrepreneurs and was entertained by the famous Alpha Boys’ Band, nursery for many of Jamaica’s best known Ska musicians, met Rita Marley, widow of Bob Marley and learnt the latest dancehall moves from the Rise Dancers.
Decked in Jamaica’s national colours, black, green and gold, he beat Bolt in a joking 20-metre race Tuesday on the Usain Bolt Track at the UWI’s Mona campus.
Prince Harry, the younger son of Prince Charles and the late Lady Diana, is in Jamaica representing his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, as part of the international celebrations commemorating the 60th anniversary of her coronation. He also stopped in Falmouth, Trelawny and Montego Bay before departing.