February 15, 2013

Mickey Haughton-James

On February 5, 2013, I informed Miss World Limited that the Spartan Health Club would not be accepting the franchise for the 2013 Miss World Contest which had been offered to the Club (the Miss World franchise is offered on an annual basis). Spartan has held the national franchise for Miss World since 1976 when its first representative, Cindy Breakespeare, won the prestigious title becoming the second Jamaican after Carol Crawford (1963) to win the Miss World crown. Lisa Hanna, the current Minister of Youth and Culture, became the third Jamaican to win the coveted title in 1993. Other top placements earned by Jamaican representatives during Spartan’s tenure are Debbie Campbell (3rd Place 1979), Sandra Cunningham (3rd Place 1981), Cathi Levy (4th Place 1983), Alison Barnett (5th Place 1985), Erica Aquart (6th Place 1990), Sandra Foster (4th Place 1991), Christene Straw (Top 10 – 1998), Jade Fulford (Top 10 – 2003), Sara Lawrence (Top 6 – 2006), Yendi Phillips (Top 15 – 2007), Deanna Robins (Top 6 – 2012). Michell Moodie (1997) and Desiree DePass (1999) were also tops for the Caribbean at Miss World. (View images below)

For me personally, it has been a long and rewarding association with Miss World, the first global competition of its type and still the largest and most highly regarded. I have great respect for the unique opportunity to afforded young women to excel around the world by Eric and Julia Morley and in recent years, Julia and Steve Morley. Through “Beauty With A Purpose”, the pageant’s motto, many millions of dollars have been raised for children’s charities. Long live Miss World. As soon as Spartan is notified of the identity of the new franchise holder, that information will be posted to this website.

My hope is that the Government and Corporate Jamaica will give the new franchise holder the support the pageant needs to be successful. Dancehall, Jamaica Carnival and the beverage sponsored summer parties are an important part of our culture, however, Miss Jamaica World provides a needed balance.

Spartan will shortly be taking down its Miss Jamaica World website but later this year will be launching Spartan Entertainment.TV website that will have features on exercise, sports and entertainment events.

Mickey Haughton-James
Managing Director
Spartan Health Club

Click on the images to view the larger size:

Cindy Breakespeare	Carol Crawford	Lisa Hanna	Debbie Campbell
Sandra Cunningham	Cathi Levy	Alison Barnett	Erica Aquart
Sandra Foster	Michell Moodie	Christene Straw	Desiree DePass
Jade Fulford	Sara Lawrence	Yendi Phillips	Deanna Robins