Gov’t to Provide Assistance to Sports Associations

The Government is to provide financial assistance to sports associations and federations to help offset the cost of using the sporting venues managed by Independence Parks Limited (IPL).

This was disclosed by Minister with responsibility for Sport, Hon. Natalie Neita Headley, during the official ceremony for the recommissioning of the renovated seating facilities at the Leila Robinson Courts at the National Arena in Kingston on February 3.

Mrs. Neita Headley said the Ministry of Finance and Planning has approved a request to provide financial assistance towards rental of the venues and $70 million has been budgeted.

“It means that we will have to rationalise, we will have to determine usage. We will have to determine the persons, who have a strong sporting programme in place… to allow for the use of the facilities,” she said.

The facilities, managed by IPL, include the National Stadium, National Aquatics Centre, National Indoor Sports Centre and the Leila Robinson Courts.

Neita Headley informed that a team of persons including members of the National Sports Council will look at the process through which the sporting bodies will be able to access the facilities.

She noted that with the assistance, sporting organisations will be in a better position to stage events using world class facilities, as well as allow athletes to practise on the best surfaces as well.

The expanded and improved seating for spectators at the Leila Robinson Courts forms part of a $36 million project to upgrade the overall facility.