Prime Minister Simpson Miller Commends Jamaica’s Sportsmen and Sportswomen

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is commending Jamaica’s sportsmen and sportswomen for their dedication and outstanding representation of the nation and its people. In a statement on Wednesday (August 19), Prime Minister Simpson Miller said the country’s athletes across various sporting disciplines continue to give of their best. She said they embody the hopes and aspirations of the nation and represent the very best of our culture and talents.

The Prime Minister had high praises for the National Paralympic Team for their brave and impressive performance at the recently concluded Para-Pan Games in Canada. “Our paralympic athletes made us very proud and they remain special gems in Jamaica’s crown of athletic glory,” Mrs. Simpson Miller said.

She pointed out that their remarkable achievement followed another notable performance recently, when the country’s special Olympians earned 29 medals at the Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Los Angeles, California. She reiterated her special love and admiration and the country’s appreciation of all athletes especially the paralympians and special Olympians for their continuing outstanding representation of Jamaica.

The Prime Minister also made special mention of the Sunshine Girls, for their spirited participation in Netball World Cup held recently in Australia. “I share your disappointment in not achieving medal position, but all Jamaica salute you – players, team management and coaching staff for your valiant effort and noble representation of Jamaica,” Prime Minister Simpson Miller noted.

Prime Minister Simpson Miller, who is the Minister of Sport, also singled out Jamaica’s women cricketers for their second place finish against Barbados at the Super 50 Finals in Trinidad and Tobago. “Our women cricketers have consistently performed at a very high level and they continued in that tradition in the Super 50 competition,” the Prime Minister said.

Meanwhile Mrs. Simpson Miller is extending her best wishes to the two sets of national athletes preparing for competition soon. “I want to send my warmest regards and very best wishes to our team now in camp for the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Championships in Beijing, China, as well as the squad now preparing for the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games scheduled to take place in Samoa from September 5 to 12.

The achievements of Jamaica’s sport administrators internationally have not gone unnoticed by the Prime Minister, as she took time to send a congratulatory message to the General Secretary of Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Mr. Garth Gayle on his election to the Technical Committee of the IAAF during the Federation’s congress, now underway in Beijing.

The Prime Minister also congratulated former British Olympian Lord Sebastian Coe (a friend of Jamaica) on his election as President of the IAAF.