MERLE JORDAN will take her determination into the heart of the mother continent this month when she competes at the fifth edition of the South Africa Masters Games.

The meet, slated for Nelson Mandela Bay in Port Elizabeth from April 27 to May 1, is another milestone for Jordan as she works tirelessly in paying her own way with help from friends.

This time, she not only walked the length and breadth of Broad Street and Haggatt Hall seeking donations, but also got assistance from DB Productions, Live Sound Entertainment, Tropi-Chem Ltd and a few others.

Jordan, 44, will be running the 100, 200, and 400 metres and possibly the 4x100 metres relay in what will be her fourth masters' games.

Last year Jordan won gold and silver medals at the World Masters Track and Field Championships in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: gold as part of the winning 4x100 relay team, and silver in the 4x400 event.

"I'm happy to be going to represent Barbados again and to keep the flag flying. I'm not about any negativity," she said, noting that her driving ambition was to compete, be positive and experience various cultures," said the former national athlete and netballer.

"Everywhere I go, I manage to make a friend, promote my career and inspire others." (RJ)