JISA gets first permanent home

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

The Jamaica Intercollegiate Sports Association (JISA), which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, acquired for the first time a dedicated office space when it unveiled its new headquarters at the University of Technology (UTech) Papine campus, Caribbean School of Sports Sciences, on Thursday.

The user agreement between UTech and JISA was signed by Anthony Davis, president of JISA, Professor Errol Morrison, president of the University of Technology, Jamaica, and Moy Ann Simpson, general secretary of JISA.

Davis, while speaking at the official office opening ceremony held at Caribbean School of Sports Sciences, expressed the view that the acquisition of their new home will aid in the process of changing the image of the association.

Different treatment

"What we are trying to do is to get our members to treat sports totally different, and for sports to no longer be considered in the fraternity as a recreational activity but serious competition. That is the way people will take us a little more seriously," he added.

Morrison vowed that UTech will continue to do its part in the development of sports in the island.

"People still don't understand the role science and academia plays in sports, and that is what we want to demonstrate," Morrison pointed out. "As long as UTech survives we expect that you (JISA) should be part of us, and as long as UTech survives sports shall be a major part .... ," he added.

JISA was also presented with a cheque valued at $110,000 by their first official partners, Wynlee. Davis does, however, have plans for seeking additional sponsors, to lessen the burden currently faced by schools.

"The next thing to do is to extend the pool of sponsors, so we can take the burden off some of the schools because officiating fees are a huge cost," Davis stated.

He also has intentions of making the association into a limited liability company.

Business prototype

"Sports is like a business and what we also need to do is protect the persons who work in sports, so in case of any litigation or anything it is a limited liability company," Davis explained. "From that, you can then get your GCT number and you can look at applying to become GCT exempted. You can also look at having a foundation, so that if persons donate to you they can have tax exemptions," he elaborated.

JISA also intends to send a 26-member delegation to the World University Games, which would represent the highest number of competitors ever sent. Fourteen sports disciplines will be on show at the Games but Jamaica will only be represented in athletics, and the team will primarily be chosen from the national senior trials to be held in June.

Davis said: "We will select the highest-placed student athlete in the national trials in June and in that way we will be able to select our team. Persons who study, outside of Jamaica are also eligible so it is not limited to local institutions."

CAPTION: Dr Colin Gyles (left), dean of the Faculty of Science and Sports, and Moyan Simpson, secretary of Intercol Sports, affixing their signatures as witnesses to the documents for the agreement between the University of Technology (UTech) and Intercollegiate Sports, at Thursday's opening of the new intercollegiate home at the University of Technology. Seated at centre is president of UTech, Professor Errol Morrison, while looking on is Dr Neville Graham, head of Caribbean School of Sports.- Contributed