Gov’t to Establish Welfare Fund and Insurance Scheme for Athletes

The Government has set aside $27 million for the establishment of a welfare fund and an insurance scheme, which will provide support for the island’s athletes.
The initiatives, which will come on stream soon, will be funded through the Sports Development Foundation (SDF).
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Olivia Grange, made the disclosure yesterday (March 9), at the press launch of the Jamaica International Invitational Track and Field Meet held at the Hilton Kingston hotel. “We are committed to supporting sports development in Jamaica,” she stated.
She informed that approximately $17 million has been earmarked for the setting up of the welfare fund, with $10 million set aside for the insurance scheme.
She said that an announcement will be made at a later date on the specifications and how athletes can benefit from the initiatives.
Meanwhile, the Minister noted that plans are in place for the construction of a baseball field in the island. “We are going to be getting a baseball diamond. We have other discussions taking place for us to expand our infrastructure in Trelawny,” she said, adding that major teams from overseas “are talking to us about pre-season training here.”
Also, Ms. Grange noted that coming out of a recent trip to Singapore, a running track will be established at the National Stadium.
“We are a little bit behind schedule (however) all the materials have been shipped and we are reworking the schedule. It would seem that we won’t be able start the work now until after the (athletic) season but we are definitely on track for getting the Stadium East track as well as the infield repaired and put back in A1 condition,” she stated.
The Jamaica International Invitational Track and Field Meet will be held on Saturday, May 1, at the National Stadium, and will attract a number of top local and international athletes.
The Government has contributed $27 million to the staging of the event through the SDF.