Gov’t to pursue athlete-retention initiatives

Minister of Sport Olivia Grange says a proposed meeting with stakeholders, including athletes, sports federations, and the private sector, to discuss and develop a new framework for elite athlete development and retention will be convened soon.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness asked Grange to organise the meeting following revelations that at least four Jamaican athletes had taken steps to switch allegiance to Tϋrkiye.

In her contribution to the Sectoral Debate on Tuesday, Grange said news that some Jamaican champions were switching allegiance to another country had hit a nerve.

She said the developments should serve as a call to strengthen the national athletes support system not just at the elite level, but through grass-roots and transition programmes that secure their careers before, during, and after competitions.

Grange said her ministry would be pursuing certain initiatives, beginning with a national athletes support and retention strategy.

She is also looking at plans to expand partnership with the private sector to provide financial incentives and sponsorship opportunities for athletes.

Further, she said the Government would be moving towards offering career-transition services for athletes beyond competition.

The sport minister urged Jamaicans to remain calm and respectful of the athletes, noting that the decisions are difficult and could have been made for a variety of personal and professional reasons.

TALENT RECOGNISED

“For our part, we will continue to develop our Jamaican athletes the best way we know how. After all, the reality is that those who recruit our athletes have recognised their brilliance and the power of the Jamaican brand,” Grange said.

She pointed out that athletes have transferred their allegiance from other countries to Jamaica as well in various sporting disciplines, and Jamaicans have welcomed and embraced them.

Speaking on Monday night at a special event hosted by Nike at the AC Hotel in St Andrew to celebrate the legacy of Olympian Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the prime minister said Jamaicans switching allegiance to represent other countries would understandably stir emotion and concern. He, however, said that athletes must make decisions not only for themselves but for their families and their future.

The athletes are Olympic men’s discus gold medallist and record holder Roje Stona, Olympic men’s long jump silver medallist Wayne Pinnock, Olympic men’s shot put bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell, and World U20 triple jump record holder Jaydon Hibbert.