National sports policy closer to finalisation

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

The long-awaited National Sports Policy is closer to finalisation.

The Human Resources Committee of the Cabinet, chaired by Minister of Education Andrew Holness, gave the green light to the proposals this week, clearing the way for the policy to be submitted to the full Cabinet where it is expected to be signed off.

The proposals will return to the Ministry of Sport for a final round of consultations with the various stakeholders and associations. The final stage will be its presentation to Parliament, and although unable to give a timeline, Grange does not foresee any problems from there on.

Expediting the process

"We will be expediting the process now that it has gone through the rigours of the Human Resources Committee of Cabinet," Grange disclosed on Wednesday while speaking at the launch of the INSPORTS/Swizzzle All-Island Primary Schools Athletics Championships at The Wyndham hotel. "They (the committee) asked very penetrative questions, they crossed the 'Ts' and dotted the 'Is' and they looked for areas which may need expansion or further explanation.

"So we have gone through that process, which means now we have to move fast on the consultations, get it back to Cabinet for final approval and then it will go to Parliament," she added.

The policy, which is themed 'Sports for all', is a comprehensive document which covers several key areas. These include: healthy lifestyle, sports economy and cultural enrichment, sports tourism, governance and management of sports, doping control, athlete development and welfare, public sports facilities and infrastructure, sports as a tool for conflict mitigation, sports for community and youth development, research and innovation.

In 2007, figures showed that various sports contributed 2.6 per cent, or the equivalent of US$225 million, to the island's gross domestic product, and is of vital importance to the nation's economy.

Grange said: "This policy framework will now be a road map and will be a framework, which will guide how Government operates and how Government partners with the private sector and stakeholders in the development of sports, and how it can assist in changing people's lives ... and the economy."