Dad manifests son’s track success - Young speedster aiming for great things

Years ago, a Jamaican father, Nicholas Watt, captured what seemed like a simple, encouraging moment with his son Nickoye on video - affirming where the boy would be in five years.

Now, those spoken words are coming into being as young speedster Nickoye is making headlines. Back in 2019, while living off Hagley Park Road, Watt recorded Nickoye as he trained in their small driveway. In the now viral video, Watt can be heard in the background encouraging his son.

"When me show you this five years from now, you ago love me, enuh, youth. When you a run for your school in foreign. Young star in the making, me can see you a break record youth," Watt said, as a visibly frustrated and tearful Nickoye continued to push through. "Mi a video you because mi believe in you youth," Watt added.

Reflecting on that day, he explained that motivating his son wasn't always easy.

"I would try to get him in the groove, and he would prefer to play video games. But whenever he participated in sports, people always said good things about him, so I had to encourage him and get him in the groove," he said.

Now fully in the 'groove', Nickoye, who now attends Seminole High School in Florida, represents his school in track and field. Recently, in the district championships, he placed second in the 100m, running 10.92 seconds. He then secured gold in his preferred event, the 200m, in 22.13 seconds.

"I want to make a career out of it. I loved it from I was attending St Richard's Primary. I would love to pursue track and field, but I am studying technology in school too," he said, emphasising the role his parents have played in his journey.

"It's very important. Everyone needs someone and I have both my mom and dad they take me to all practices, they have done a lot," he said. He admitted that he didn't initially remember the video until his dad sent sent it to him.

"I was embarrassed because I was crying in the video. But the more I watched it, the more it really made me realise that my dad has done a lot for me and I cried tears of joy again," he said while laughing.

REFLECTION

But as Watt reflects on the journey, he said the lesson is about how important it is to practise speaking words over your child.

"It's consistently recognising how powerful it is when we speak to our children, because every word is like a seed being planted," he explained. Watt said that the bond he has with his son is intentional, as he did not know his father growing up.

"But I had exceptional uncles who pushed me. From their example, I learnt the ropes of being a father, and I am just doing what I wished my father did for me," he said.

Nickoye's mother, Kedisha McLaughlin, recalled that Watt was intentional about wanting a son and had always assured her he would be always be present "even if he had to sell fruits on a stand".

"He proved himself. We definitely created a healthy balance," she beamed.

Other than his parents, Nickoye said his next role model is his "idol", Usain Bolt.

"I have a picture of him on my phone, and it makes me push harder and want to be faster...even faster than Usain Bolt, so hopefully I can do that," he said. Watt expressed hope that their story will inspire others, especially those battling a strained parent and child relationship.

"Take full responsibility for actions because those matriculate down to your children. Then be cognisant of your words, every word that is spoken. We have specific things that we say to each other, like all outcomes, no matter the outcome, is the perfect outcome. There is a specific way of speaking over your child, and negativity is not one of them," he advised.

"I tell him (Nickoye) that he's perfect, and as long as he knows this, then he'll do the things that require perfection. I hug him, I lift him up, even jockey back ride, nuh care how big he is," he added, as they both laughed.