From Grade Ones to Grandmaster Dreams: JDA Scholars Set for UWI

Campion College graduate Justin Delattibudiere and Munro College graduate Jabari Brown combine academic excellence, sporting discipline and ambitions to serve Jamaica

On a draughtsboard, success requires discipline, concentration and the ability to think several moves ahead. Jamaica Draughts Association youth players Justin Delattibudiere and Jabari Brown are now applying those qualities to an even greater challenge as they prepare to enter The University of the West Indies, Mona, and pursue careers through which they hope to contribute meaningfully to Jamaica.

Justin, a graduate of Campion College, has been accepted to study Electrical Engineering, while Jabari, a graduate of Munro College, is preparing to pursue his ambition of becoming a medical doctor.

Both young men distinguished themselves in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination and have emerged as strong candidates for scholarships and responsible corporate investment.

Justin earned straight Grade Ones in all four subjects taken in the 2026 CAPE examinations—Caribbean Studies, Chemistry Unit 2, Physics Unit 2 and Pure Mathematics Unit 2. Those results followed Grade Ones in Chemistry Unit 1, Physics Unit 1 and Pure Mathematics Unit 1, together with a Grade Two in Communication Studies in 2025.

Across his two years of CAPE, he therefore accumulated seven Grade Ones and one Grade Two, including outstanding performances in highly technical areas such as calculus, differential equations, electricity and magnetism, electronics, organic chemistry and analytical methods.

His achievement continues an exceptional academic journey. Justin previously earned a scholarship to attend Campion College after being recognised among Jamaica’s leading performers in the Primary Exit Profile examinations. He later secured eight CSEC Grade Ones—in Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Information Technology, English Language and French—along with a Grade Two in English Literature.

Justin also demonstrated that academic and sporting excellence can complement each other. A decorated martial artist, he has won numerous medals, the majority of them gold. In 2025, he was a member of the Campion College team that defeated the traditionally dominant Calabar High School team to capture the High School Team Sparring title at the Jamaica Tae-Kwon-Do Academy Open Championships for the first time in Campion’s history.

He is also a chess player and a member of the JDA Youth Under-20 Group. His achievements across academics, martial arts and mindsports demonstrate remarkable discipline, versatility and the capacity to perform under pressure.

Jabari has established an equally encouraging academic and sporting profile. The Munro College graduate secured CAPE Grade Ones in Biology Unit 2, Chemistry Unit 2 and Communication Studies, together with Grade Twos in Caribbean Studies and Physics Unit 2.

These subjects provide a strong foundation for his pursuit of medicine at UWI. The programme is demanding, and the associated cost of tuition, accommodation, books, equipment, transportation and daily living expenses represents a considerable financial commitment.

Jabari has already shown that he possesses both academic ability and competitive composure. At the 2025 JDA National Championships, he captured the bronze medal in the Youth Under-20 Division and remains one of Jamaica’s promising emerging junior players.

With continued coaching and greater competitive exposure, the JDA believes Jabari can become a leading national player and eventually pursue international recognition. Justin similarly possesses the intellectual ability and competitive discipline to progress further in draughts, chess or both.

The two students also come from families actively involved in developing Jamaican draughts. Justin is the son of JDA President Jermaine Delattibudiere, while Jabari is the son of Negril Draughts Club President Dennis Brown. Their cases for scholarship assistance, however, rest firmly on their individual records—academic excellence, disciplined character, sporting achievement and clear ambitions to serve Jamaica through engineering and medicine.

Their progress illustrates the wider developmental value of draughts and other structured mindsports. Board games have occupied an important place in human society for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptian tombs and historical sites contain game boards and depictions of people playing, including the famous image of Queen Nefertari playing senet. Although senet was not modern draughts, it demonstrates humanity’s long-standing appreciation for strategic board games.

Modern draughts teaches players to concentrate, plan, solve problems, manage limited resources, recover from setbacks and assess the likely consequences of each decision. These habits have relevance far beyond competition and can complement sound educational practices while helping young people approach school, careers and life with greater patience and strategic awareness.

For Justin and Jabari, university represents the next major move. Justin hopes to use his Electrical Engineering education to support Jamaica’s energy, technology and infrastructure development. Jabari’s pursuit of medicine places him on a path towards contributing to the country’s health sector and improving the lives of others.

Scholarship assistance for either student would therefore be more than a response to financial need. It would represent an investment in two accomplished young Jamaicans whose records demonstrate consistency, discipline and the likelihood of a meaningful return through professional and national service.

TOBAGO WORLD CUP OFFERS ANOTHER IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY

Their educational journeys also coincide with an important stage in the international development of Jamaican draughts.

The Tobago Open World Cup is scheduled for September 9–18, 2026, with competitive rounds being played from September 10–17. The tournament is listed on the calendar of the Fédération Mondiale du Jeu de Dames, known in English as the World Draughts Federation, or FMJD.

According to the official regulations, the tournament is an FMJD nine-star World Cup event organised by the Trinidad and Tobago Draughts and Checkers Association. It will be played in International Draughts on the 10×10 board, using a nine-round Swiss system, with all games internationally rated.

The event includes Open and Women’s sections, an optional Blitz tournament and special prizes for the leading Pan-American player and the top three Under-16 competitors. Its approximately US$40,000 combined prize structure and FMJD status also provide opportunities for players to gain experience, improve their ratings, accumulate World Cup points and pursue title norms under the applicable regulations.

International Draughts, also called Draughts-100, is played on a 10×10 board with 20 pieces for each player. Its larger playing field and complex tactical and positional possibilities make it one of the most internationally recognised forms of the game.

Jamaica has already produced respected international title-holders in 8×8 Draughts-64: International Grandmaster Wayne “Shine” Reid, International Master Courtney “Carlos” Thompson and Federation Masters Rohan “FabKid” Thomas and Jermaine “Wasp” Hutchinson.

However, Jamaica does not yet have an internationally titled master in 10×10 Draughts-100. That gap presents both a challenge and an historic opportunity.

The JDA would like to send a balanced delegation to Tobago, including players with experience in International Draughts and, where age eligibility and availability permit, one or two junior representatives. The timing is challenging because most members of the Association’s wider Under-20 group will have returned to school, while the special youth category in the Tobago regulations is Under-16.

Several players and their families are also managing significant back-to-school and university expenses, making it difficult to absorb airfare, accommodation, meals, registration fees and other international competition costs without assistance.

Nevertheless, the JDA leadership continues to explore responsible avenues to secure at least one Jamaican representative. Even a small delegation would preserve Jamaica’s presence, provide valuable international experience and support the country’s efforts to develop its first titled player in Draughts-100.

Participation is also important as the FMJD prepares for its 2027 World Championships in the Netherlands and Jamaica works to strengthen its understanding of international ratings, World Cup standings, title norms and future qualification pathways.

PARTNERSHIP WITH PURPOSE

The JDA is simultaneously preparing to host the 2028 Pan-American International Draughts Championships during the school summer holidays. The proposed timing is intended to facilitate greater participation by juniors from Jamaica and across the Americas.

The Association’s wider plans include establishing additional school and community clubs, attracting more juniors and women, providing structured coaching in Draughts-64 and Draughts-100, developing stronger national teams and creating clearer pathways from introductory participation to international competition.

For corporate Jamaica, this presents a partnership opportunity extending beyond the placement of a logo on a tournament banner. Support can connect a sponsor’s brand with academic achievement, youth development, disciplined decision-making, community engagement and national representation.

A partner may choose to assist Justin or Jabari with university expenses, support a particular player’s participation in Tobago, contribute towards airfare or accommodation, sponsor junior coaching, provide equipment or establish a scholarship linked to academic and mindsport achievement.

In return, an appropriate partnership may include recognition in JDA media releases and social-media coverage, branding on approved national-team apparel and promotional material, visibility through school and community outreach and acknowledgement during national events and preparations for the 2028 Pan-American Championships.

Justin Delattibudiere and Jabari Brown are already making their families, schools, communities and the Jamaica Draughts Association proud. Their next move is university, but the board before them is much larger than any classroom or tournament.

With the right support, one could help strengthen Jamaica’s energy and infrastructure future, while the other could contribute to the health and well-being of its people. At the same time, investment in the JDA’s international programme can help give other talented young Jamaicans a pathway from school and community clubs to national representation and international titles.

For scholarship providers and responsible corporate partners seeking young Jamaicans with proven ability, strong character and a commitment to contributing to their country, Justin and Jabari are worthy of serious consideration.

Their achievements have already demonstrated what they can accomplish when given an opportunity.An investment in their next move—or in Jamaica’s wider draughts-development programme—could produce benefits reaching far beyond the board.

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