Gov’t and CARICOM Countries Explore Sport Cooperation

Discussions are under way between the Government and some CARICOM countries to establish sport cooperation programmes in the region.

The primary aim of the programme is to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and technical skills of physical education teachers and coaches.

Speaking at a recent press conference in Kingston, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, said a delegation headed by Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness held meetings with Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and St. Lucia at the recent Rio Olympic Games in Brazil, to discuss the collaborative strategies for sport development.

“As minister with responsibility for sport, I am aware that we have physical education teachers and coaches who are underutilised, and in some of our neighbouring countries there is a need to increase their cadre of technical skills in physical education and coaching,” she noted.

Ms. Grange said that local sports academy G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport, in St. Catherine, is being proposed as the main partner institution.

Under the cooperation deal, trained G.C. Foster graduates will have the opportunity to take up teaching positions at educational institutions in those countries.

The programme will also offer scholarships to students from those states to pursue specialised sport programmes at G.C. Foster College.

Meanwhile, Miss Grange said the delegation’s visit to Brazil also provided an opportunity for follow-up discussions on the Jamaica Brazil Sport Cooperation Agreement.

The draft document is now under review by the Brazilian government, the Minister noted.

“Brazil over many years has been an excellent sport partner, and with this new proposed agreement, we intend to broaden our relations and maximise the benefits in scholarships offered by Brazil and in other areas of development,” Miss Grange said.