Joe Issa Likes Bolt’s Latest Impassioned Plea: “Hard Work Pays Off!”

Successful Ocho Rios business leader and philanthropist Joe Issa, who has won enough local and international awards to cover an entire wall in his office, says he likes Bolts’ urging of athletes to emulate his achievements, especially as they didn’t come easy and took very hard work.

“Bolt is obviously enjoying his successes, and why not…it’s a sweet scent he worked hard for and deserves…what’s more remarkable is that he is not selfish about it…he does not only share his success, but also wants upcoming athletes to emulate his triumphs,” says Issa, who by his own admission, decided early that he didn’t have what it takes to be a ‘Lightening Bolt’.

“I like sports but never harboured the thought of making a career out of it. My books and extracurricular activities were my sanctuary,” says Issa, who went on to win multiple local and international awards in all three phases of his life " as a student, career professional and entrepreneur.

Observers say there is much Issa and Bolt has in common, citing their giving, hard working and humility.

“There’s no virtue in bragging about your successes and holding it tightly and discouraging others from coming up to emulate your achievements,” Issa said in the interview, adding, “I like Bolt’s latest plea for athletes to step up and fill the void he will soon leave behind.”

Analysts close to Issa’s activities over the years say he has consistently praised youth achievements in all sectors, always commending and encouraging them to soar higher, and that Bolt is no exception.

Research shows that only recently, Issa congratulated Bolt on winning his 6^th straight IAAF sportsman of the year award. Soon after, he hailed the new Bolt film as ‘fit for the archives’, joining Prime Minister Andrew Holness and soccer icon David Beckham, who also thought it was inspirational.

Once again, Issa joins the many others who have congratulated Bolt on winning the 2016 RJR Sportsman of the year, his seventh locally since he ‘skyrocketed to the world’.

In his acceptance speech Bolts made an impassioned plea to keep the track and field flag flying high after he has finished competing. And how he said it was most profound, according to analysts.

“I am from Trelawny and I’ve never thought I’d be, at this stage of my life, one of the greatest athletes ever. In that, I want to say that hard work pays off. So if you want to be great, just work towards what you want, not only to be a track star, but if you want to be a doctor or lawyer.

“Never give up. I have been through a lot in my career, but I have never given up (even) once. I have always pushed on, and look where I am! So just use me as motivation or as an example just to work to be the best you can be,” said Bolt, who now joins legendary boxer Michael McCallum as the most successful male athlete in the history of the 56-year-old RJR awards, the Gleaner reported.

Now, analysts say Jamaica and the rest of the world awaits Bolt’s next and perhaps final race this year, after which he says he will ‘hang up the gloves’.