JOA equipment grant scheme already bearing fruit

AN INITIATIVE by the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) to invest millions into its equipment grant is bearing fruit as a number of member associations have been seeing added benefit from the use of those funds.

Financing for the programme that provides funding for sporting associations to acquire equipment deemed critical to building capacity for sport and the performance of athletes was made possible by way of a three-year partnership worth $45 million with Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL).

Seventeen member associations have so far benefited, including the Aquatic Sports Association of Jamaica (ASAJ) and the Jamaica Gymnastics Association (JAGA), The Jamaica Golf Association, Jamaica Karate, Jamaica Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, the Jamaica Cricket Association, and the Jamaica Wrestling Federation.

In recent times, the ASAJ had been in desperate need of new lane lines for the national swimming pool at Independence Park Limited, as the ones that were in use had deteriorated so badly over the years, swimmers were at risk of injury whether during practice or competition.

However, the cost of replacing them – more than US$16,000 – proved prohibitive, with even more financial impact coming from the pandemic.

ASAJ President Martin Lyn explained that the JOA came to their aid after he outlined the challenges the association faced in acquiring new lane lines.

“The previous ones that we had, over time, deteriorated so that there were sharp edges so swimmers could possibly get cut or bruised if they came in contact with the lane lines while swimming. So the lane lines were very important for us and we simply could not afford to purchase them ourselves,” Lyn said.

The gymnastics association has also lauded the JOA for their help via the grant in acquiring some important pieces of equipment that would help the athletes upgrade their skills.

“The JOA has been so supportive and serious about developing sports in Jamaica. They have assisted us with the purchase of three air vents for the gymnasium valued at over $300,000 and also much-needed landed foam blocks to complete our landing pit to the tune of $1.5m,” said the association’s president, Nicole Grant.

“We desperately needed the landed mats to help upgrade the gymnasts’ skills to prepare them for the Central American Championships and the Pan American Hopes Tournament later this year. We have already seen improvement in our gymnasts as they continue to train towards these events.”