Western Jamaica Ideal Sports Tourism Destination – Minister Neita Headley

Minister without Portfolio with responsibility for Sports in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Natalie Neita Headley, is challenging members of the sporting fraternity in Western Jamaica to start focusing on positioning the region as a prime destination for sports tourism.

She noted that the parishes of Westmoreland, St. James and Hanover are situated in the nation’s tourism belt, which “offers the opportunity for you to develop your football, not just as a sport, a community activity or a great outlet for youthful energy, but also as a potential for big money earner in sport tourism.”

Mrs. Neita Headley was addressing the 2014/15 awards presentation of the Westmoreland Football Association held on March 1, at Sandals Whitehouse Resort.

The Sports Minister pointed out that there are great advantages for sports tourism in the region, as there are major resort chains and corporate entities that have been supporting sports. With this support, added to the contribution from the Government, the possibilities are endless, she said.

“The advantages are clear…with the right investment from the private sector, I know the development of infrastructure for sports and full Government support, there is no limit as to how far (Westmoreland) football can go, and I for one, will be doing everything in my power as Minister to assist,” she pledged.

Highlighting Government’s contribution to sports development in Westmoreland, Minister Neita Headley informed that two schools –Petersfield High and Grange Hill High –will be receiving $10 million each to improve sports infrastructure.

She informed that the upgraded facilities to be provided to the schools, will be made available to community members, with special management teams to be set up to ensure that they are properly secured and maintained.

“One of the things about developing community fields and community hard courts is that the moment you leave those courts alone without proper management, without proper organisation…leadership, when you go back there one year later, it is as if you never did work…and so whatever it is we do at these schools, we are very clear that there is a management programme in the schools,” she said.

The Sports Minister commended the Westmoreland Football Association for its stewardship in managing the affairs of the sport over the years.

She noted that the parish has produced two-time National Premier League champion (Reno FC); two DaCosta Cup champions (Frome Technical High and Godfrey Stewart High) as well as several members of the national coaching outfit and national players for various squads.