2023 is shaping up to be another historic year for the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) with several teams having already qualified for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in El Salvador in June and the Pan American Games in Santiago in October 2023.
The men’s and women’s rugby teams and the men’s hockey team have cemented their places in the games and the Sun Girls will make a historic appearance at the CAC Games and should lift the title in the sport’s inaugural championship.
“Increasing the number of sports in which Jamaica is represented on the international stage and deepening the competitive talent pool are non-negotiable strategic objectives of the JOA as we engage our members in our ‘Sports for Excellence’ campaign” JOA President Christopher Samuda , said underscoring the imperative to offer Jamaica’s youth a menu of choices in sports.
Financial support is a critical element of success and the JOA continues to fund what some call “minor sports” in a stated strategy to help them move onto the global stage. JOA General Secretary/CEO Ryan Foster puts the apex body’s plan into perspective: “A successful sports investment strategy must be multifaceted and not singular in addressing sport. It should be democratic and not centralize its expenses. It must be visionary and not tunnel vision in capitalizing on talent and must be innovative in delivering dividends and ensuring sustainability.”
Adjani Burton, captain of the Jamaican men’s hockey team, supports the JOA’s approach as he looks ahead to the games. “We appreciate the funding from the JOA because it will help us significantly in our preparation for the CAC Games and beyond. We hope that as the team grows and develops, more corporate companies will take notice and provide a similar level of support. We are eternally grateful to JOA as they have always supported us and we hope this continues in the longer term.”
The growth of the Olympic sport of rugby union at local level and its international representation with back-to-back appearances at the Rugby World Cup and Commonwealth Games have inspired Bruce Martin, Technical Director to say: “The JOA recognizes that this is the result of a peak of many years of hard work and strict dedication to our players on the road to dynamic movements in Jamaica Rugby and the JOA equally shares our excitement.”
Equally motivated by JOA’s strategic direction is national surfing coach Icah Wilmot, who supports the national governing association’s “sport for all” policy “We are very grateful for JOA’s support and commitment to growing the para surfing team” , he said.
President of the Jamaica Boxing Association, Stephen “Bomber” Jones in expressing appreciation for the JOA’s commitment to the sport and the Caribbean Boxing Championships said “the fact that the JOA can come to our aid again to ensure that Team Jamaica can is well represented. is huge and we will do JOA proud” The sport is expected to be among the army for the CAC games.
Fabian Stewart, President of the Jamaica Hockey Federation, states that “JOA has been a constant partner in the development of field hockey in Jamaica in line with the Olympic ideals and mission. The governing body continues to support the efforts of the Jamaica Hockey Federation and its national program, which is being implemented in our National Strategic Campaign of Excellence.”
With the 2024 Paris Olympics on the horizon, some may think that the JOA is treating the CAC and Pan American Games as dress rehearsals. “For JOA, every game is a golden and equal opportunity for our citizens in sports to stake their claim for excellence,” said Foster.
In January next year, JOA will officially launch its “Highway to El Salvador and Santiago” campaign as it continues to write and make history in sports.
