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Grange drafts development plan for sports
BY GERALD REID Observer writer
Sunday, October 21, 2007
MINISTER of Sports Olivia "Babsy" Grange yesterday met with heads of local sporting bodies and outlined the objectives for future planning and development of sports in Jamaica at the Jamaica Olympic Association's (JOA's) office.
"This is a challenge and I think I'm ready for the challenge as we all start a relationship where we will get stronger and stronger," Grange told representatives of the various sporting disciplines.
Before reading from the Jamaica Labour Party's manifesto on sports development, the minister said, "If you work hard and you're committed, you will have the results.
Sports minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange (2nd right) speaks with members of the local sporting fraternity at the Jamaica Olympic Association's office in Kingston yesterday. From left are Mike Fennell, Donald Anderson and Allie McNab. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
"Sports provide a powerful means of socialisation and social development. It creates vast opportunities for individual achievement and unites communities around the efforts and successes of their sportsmen and sportswomen," she said.
According to Grange, "our pledge is to develop a five-year programme for the construction of mini-stadiums in urban centres where such facilities do not now exist. We will acquire lands and develop playing fields for schools which do not currently have such facilities."
She said there will be upgrading of community playing fields where necessary and an expanded programme for the erection of small courts for sports like basketball and netball in towns, villages and inner-city communities islandwide.
"The facilities of the GC Foster College will be upgraded to provide training for coaches and... incentives for them to work in rural areas and inner-city communities, and each school will be required to have at least one teacher with training in physical education," the minister added.
Meanwhile, plans have been implemented to provide coaches in the major sports at the parish level to identify and develop talents at the school and community level, according to Grange.
"Scholarships will also be provided to local institutions for promising... performers who satisfy entry requirements and provide financial assistance as needed to overseas scholarship recipients," she added.
According to Grange, there will be a special fund set up for retired sports personalities who may be in need of assistance.
In explaining the plan for funding for the various sports, she said there is not enough money for every sport, but a priority system would be put in place.
"One of the things some sports associations do is... at the last minute they call about... funds to either stage international competitions or go overseas to compete. You will have to provide us with a one- or two-year programme, and also the budget," she warned.
Meanwhile, the minister said the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium which hosted the World Cup Opening Ceremony and warm-ups matches earlier this year will be placed under a new management.
BY GERALD REID Observer writer
Sunday, October 21, 2007
MINISTER of Sports Olivia "Babsy" Grange yesterday met with heads of local sporting bodies and outlined the objectives for future planning and development of sports in Jamaica at the Jamaica Olympic Association's (JOA's) office.
"This is a challenge and I think I'm ready for the challenge as we all start a relationship where we will get stronger and stronger," Grange told representatives of the various sporting disciplines.
Before reading from the Jamaica Labour Party's manifesto on sports development, the minister said, "If you work hard and you're committed, you will have the results.
Sports minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange (2nd right) speaks with members of the local sporting fraternity at the Jamaica Olympic Association's office in Kingston yesterday. From left are Mike Fennell, Donald Anderson and Allie McNab. (Photo: Garfield Robinson) "Sports provide a powerful means of socialisation and social development. It creates vast opportunities for individual achievement and unites communities around the efforts and successes of their sportsmen and sportswomen," she said.
According to Grange, "our pledge is to develop a five-year programme for the construction of mini-stadiums in urban centres where such facilities do not now exist. We will acquire lands and develop playing fields for schools which do not currently have such facilities."
She said there will be upgrading of community playing fields where necessary and an expanded programme for the erection of small courts for sports like basketball and netball in towns, villages and inner-city communities islandwide.
"The facilities of the GC Foster College will be upgraded to provide training for coaches and... incentives for them to work in rural areas and inner-city communities, and each school will be required to have at least one teacher with training in physical education," the minister added.
Meanwhile, plans have been implemented to provide coaches in the major sports at the parish level to identify and develop talents at the school and community level, according to Grange.
"Scholarships will also be provided to local institutions for promising... performers who satisfy entry requirements and provide financial assistance as needed to overseas scholarship recipients," she added.
According to Grange, there will be a special fund set up for retired sports personalities who may be in need of assistance.
In explaining the plan for funding for the various sports, she said there is not enough money for every sport, but a priority system would be put in place.
"One of the things some sports associations do is... at the last minute they call about... funds to either stage international competitions or go overseas to compete. You will have to provide us with a one- or two-year programme, and also the budget," she warned.
Meanwhile, the minister said the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium which hosted the World Cup Opening Ceremony and warm-ups matches earlier this year will be placed under a new management.
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