Service Clubs Urged to Partner with Gov’t to Improve Social Infrastructure

Minister with responsibility for Sports, Natalie Neita-Headley, is calling on service clubs to partner with the Government in revitalising the country’s community and social systems.

She noted that much of the country’s social infrastructure is in need of rehabilitation and “it is a task that government cannot do alone and so I want to invite organisations like the Kiwanis movement and other partners to come along with us in this process."

She was speaking on Feb. 21 at the Kiwanis Club of Kingston’s awards ceremony for its 2011 school netball and football competitions at the Wyndham Kingston hotel.

She said the government is willing to partner with service clubs to build on their success and expand and replicate their projects and programmes, particularly in the area of sports.

“We are a government of inclusion. We will work collaboratively in setting up the appropriate framework for development through sports. We are not afraid to be the team leader but we know that the real stars are you (service club members) who are the team builders,” she said.

Mrs. Neita Headley praised the Kiwanis Club of Kingston for its illustrious tradition of service, strong record of partnership, social action, and overall commitment to Jamaica’s future.

“The Kiwanis Club of Kingston, with the support of its many partners, has led the way for the last 32 years in using sports, particularly the football and netball competitions as one of its key strategies to ensure that the foundation is laid for Jamaica to become the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business,” she said.

She urged the students present to join a development programme, youth, sports, environmental club, or any similar grouping, noting that it is through active, positive and practical participation that Jamaica will be placed on the solid path of nation building and economic advancement. 

She congratulated the teams that participated in the competitions, encouraging them to “not just to seek to play the sport on the field but to seek to develop careers in sport where possible”.

The Kiwanis Club of Kingston’s football and netball competitions were open to corporate area Junior High and All-Age schools. The 2011 competitions saw 15 teams participating.

By Alecia Smith-Edwards, JIS Reporter