Minister Says Sport Will be at Forefront of Economic Growth
By: July 13, 2016 ,The Key Point:
The Facts
- She pointed out that the Government intends to leverage Jamaica’s international sport success by having the country as an athletic training base for international athletes.
- “This Government will not stand on the sidelines. The Ministry of Sport has already started to revisit our sport infrastructure and (look at) the technical capabilities existing in this great sporting nation,” she said.
The Full Story
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, says the Government is committed to having sports at the forefront of the country’s push towards economic growth.
Speaking in the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, today (July 12), Miss Grange said among the strategies to achieve this is the establishment of an international training facility.
She pointed out that the Government intends to leverage Jamaica’s international sport success by having the country as an athletic training base for international athletes.
Already, some 20 countries have athletes participating in training camps and specialised training in Jamaica.
The Minister indicated an intention to increase the number of athletes and countries participating. A prefeasibility study, funded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), has already been done.
Miss Grange further noted that among the Government’s earliest priorities are capacity building and infrastructure development.
“This Government will not stand on the sidelines. The Ministry of Sport has already started to revisit our sport infrastructure and (look at) the technical capabilities existing in this great sporting nation,” she said.
Miss Grange noted that the National Stadium is one of four sporting facilities islandwide which will receive major improvement work, adding that the Ministry will also be supporting the development of the Herb McKenley Stadium in Clarendon.