Use Sports Facilities for Exercise – Neita Headley

Jamaicans are being encouraged to utilise community sports facilities for healthy physical activity in order to prevent Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

Minister with responsibility for Sport, Hon. Natalie Neita Headley, made the call, while addressing the breaking of ground for construction of the Deeside Multipurpose Court in Bog Walk, St. Catherine, on Friday (February 12).

“It (exercise) is for how you look, for your health and how long you will live and to keep away diabetes and high blood pressure; exercise is important,” Mrs. Neita Headley said.

“This facility in your community must be seen more than just a place for you to have competitions, but a place for you to have a good healthy lifestyle developed for you and your children,” she added.

Construction of the Deeside Multipurpose Court is being undertaken through $5 million in funding from the Sports Development Foundation (SDF). It will provide facility for court sports such as netball and basketball. The project is scheduled to be completed in another three weeks.

Mrs. Neita Headley, who is Member of Parliament for North Central St. Catherine, urged the residents to establish a management structure for the care and maintenance of the court. “I am depending on the citizens of Deeside to manage this facility; it is yours,” she said.

President of the Deeside Youth Organisation, Shanique Hudson, said the multi-purpose court will provide proper facilities for young people in the area to develop their sporting talent. “We are thankful for the investment, which is for our future,” she said.

President of the Deeside Citizens’ Association, Charley Hylton, expressed gratitude, noting that the community netball team will now have a proper training facility.

“You have people in and around Deeside, who love to come here and we are extremely happy, and the best is yet to come,” he said.

In his remarks, General Manager of the SDF, Denzil Wilks, said the facility is for talent development.

“There can be no question that the placement of these multipurpose facilities across the country is going to redound to the benefit of our people,” he told the gathering.