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Over $300 million allocated to sports development
Balford Henry
Saturday, May 10, 2008
The Ministry of Sports will be spending just over $300 million this fiscal year on the development of sports.
The $302 million, included in the 2008/2009 Estimates of Expenditure, more than doubles last year's allocation of $114.6 million.
In addition, approximately $610 million has been allocated under the Venezuelan Investment Fund (BANDES) for the development of sport and recreational facilities.
The projects, which will be implemented by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), include the GC Foster College football field ($20 million); the Stadium East practice field ($3.5 million); and phase two of the Montego Bay sports complex ($342.4 million).
Under this fund, in the past there have been a number of major improvements to sport facilities, including the fencing of Independence Park, relocation of six towers at Stadium East, refurbishing of the National Arena's electrical and air conditioning system and construction of tennis courts and support facilities at Independence Park.
These are in addition to significant increases in government's allocation for sports under the Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, in the budget.
The allocation for the Institute of Sports was increased from last year's $102 million to $239 million, including $112.8 million for the management and technical direction of the Institute to cover compensation for administrative director, sports officers and administrative support staff. This was increased from $45 million last year.
The grant for sports promotion has been increased from $43 million to $90 million. This is for the coordination and development of sport programmes at the community and national levels.
The grant to Independence Park Limited, which manages the complex comprising the National Stadium, the National Arena, as well as the swimming, netball and basketball facilities, was increased from last year's $13.2 million to $36.2 million this year.
Anti-Doping in Sports gets a huge boost. With the creation of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) envisaged this year, its budget was increased to $53.3 million from $8.6 million last year.
This commission will, with the cooperation and support of the various national sports organisations, maintain and carry out the Jamaican Anti-Doping Programme. JADCO is recognised as the appropriate authority to execute the programme and to ensure that it is consistent with the World Anti-Doping Programmes and other international best practices.
The Commission will advise the minister on policies and practices related to doping in sports; educate athletes, support personnel, parents, the media and the public about drugs in sports issues; adopt and implement anti-doping in sport rules; direct the national drug control programme; conduct and promote anti-doping research; and cooperate with testing and education initiatives of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Appeal Panel and the Therapedic Exemption Committee.
The appropriate legislation is being fast-tracked regarding establishment of JADCO and related bodies.
An additional $9 million has also been allocated to fulfill Jamaica's obligations, as a member of the International Convention against Doping in Sports, and in respect of the funding of the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA).
Balford Henry
Saturday, May 10, 2008
The Ministry of Sports will be spending just over $300 million this fiscal year on the development of sports.
The $302 million, included in the 2008/2009 Estimates of Expenditure, more than doubles last year's allocation of $114.6 million.
In addition, approximately $610 million has been allocated under the Venezuelan Investment Fund (BANDES) for the development of sport and recreational facilities.
The projects, which will be implemented by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), include the GC Foster College football field ($20 million); the Stadium East practice field ($3.5 million); and phase two of the Montego Bay sports complex ($342.4 million).
Under this fund, in the past there have been a number of major improvements to sport facilities, including the fencing of Independence Park, relocation of six towers at Stadium East, refurbishing of the National Arena's electrical and air conditioning system and construction of tennis courts and support facilities at Independence Park.
These are in addition to significant increases in government's allocation for sports under the Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, in the budget.
The allocation for the Institute of Sports was increased from last year's $102 million to $239 million, including $112.8 million for the management and technical direction of the Institute to cover compensation for administrative director, sports officers and administrative support staff. This was increased from $45 million last year.
The grant for sports promotion has been increased from $43 million to $90 million. This is for the coordination and development of sport programmes at the community and national levels.
The grant to Independence Park Limited, which manages the complex comprising the National Stadium, the National Arena, as well as the swimming, netball and basketball facilities, was increased from last year's $13.2 million to $36.2 million this year.
Anti-Doping in Sports gets a huge boost. With the creation of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) envisaged this year, its budget was increased to $53.3 million from $8.6 million last year.
This commission will, with the cooperation and support of the various national sports organisations, maintain and carry out the Jamaican Anti-Doping Programme. JADCO is recognised as the appropriate authority to execute the programme and to ensure that it is consistent with the World Anti-Doping Programmes and other international best practices.
The Commission will advise the minister on policies and practices related to doping in sports; educate athletes, support personnel, parents, the media and the public about drugs in sports issues; adopt and implement anti-doping in sport rules; direct the national drug control programme; conduct and promote anti-doping research; and cooperate with testing and education initiatives of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Appeal Panel and the Therapedic Exemption Committee.
The appropriate legislation is being fast-tracked regarding establishment of JADCO and related bodies.
An additional $9 million has also been allocated to fulfill Jamaica's obligations, as a member of the International Convention against Doping in Sports, and in respect of the funding of the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA).