Sports enthusiasts - Jamaica fails to capitalise on economic opportunities

A number of sports enthusiasts are fuming at what they said is the country\'s continued failure to capitalise on economic opportunities created by athletes on the world stage over the years.



At a Gleaner Editors\' Forum in Montego Bay yesterday, stakeholders criticised political leaders for not capitalising on the economic opportunities presented by athletics.



According to them, the country could generate approximately $4.3 billion from sports tourism alone.



Senior communication consultant at Jamaica Trade and Invest, Carole Beckford, said while there are structures, which help to hone sports in Jamaica, policies are needed to regulate the industry.



She is predicting that the country would continue to produce talent from which it benefits minimally, if policies are not put in place to manage the industry soon.



According to Beckford, based on the economic potential of the sports and cultural industries, it might become necessary to have them replace the manufacturing industry.



Robert Bryan, the man who spearheaded the Jamaica\'s World Cup Cricket organising committee, also believes politicians have failed to mine gold from the economic opportunities created by the island\'s athletes.



He has also placed some of the blame on corporate Jamaica.



According to Bryan, many local private sector actors have not structured themselves to take advantage of the sports industry.