University of East London Homepage

John Smith’s Bookshops to support star UEL athlete

Thursday 15 April 2010

Jeffrey Lawal Balogun

John Smith’s Bookshops, a specialist student retailer supplying books across a whole range of subject areas with outlets at both University of East London’s campuses, has agreed a £5,000 sponsorship deal with UEL student and 200m sprinter, Jeffrey Lawal Balogun.

Jeffrey juggles his studies in marketing at the university with a gruelling 6 times-a-week training schedule. Coached by Clarence Callender, who won a 4x100m relay silver medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympic herself, he is now a 200m GB International athlete and 2012 Olympic hopeful. Jeffrey hopes to represent the country this year at both the European Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games, despite only having discovered his athletic talents just four years ago when he was spotted running for a bus.

Peter Gray, Chief Executive of John Smith’s said: "We are delighted to be sponsoring Jeffrey and hope that by doing so we will be playing our small part in helping him to realise his sporting goals. Our partnership with UEL is all about maximizing opportunity and achievement for students at the university and Jeffrey's dedicated pursuit of sporting excellence very much embodies both of these things”.

David Cosford, Director of Sport at UEL said:”I am extremely pleased that John Smith’s have come forward to support the ambitions of such a talented athlete. The costs associated with training and competing at an elite level are very high and Jeffrey will be better positioned to achieve his dream of delivering gold medal performances at both the European Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games with this additional financial support”.

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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