Gymnastics gets lift from JOA, Quatro

The Jamaica Gymnastics Association (JGA) recently received some much-needed assistance for its equipment drive, after the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) made a contribution of US$10,000 to the association to help with the purchasing of essential training equipment.

JGA president, Nicole Grant-Brown, said the association has been struggling with support for their equipment drive, which started in March, and that the JOA’s initiative and their partnership with new sponsor, Quatro Enterprise Limited, a leotard manufacturer, has been a huge boost to securing the necessary equipment the association needs for its gym.

Very proud

“I am very proud to say that the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) has stepped in and they have purchased the foam blocks for the kids. So the JOA has donated these sponge blocks, or Q-blocks, for the landing pit, at a cost of US$10,000 (approx. J$1,550,000.00). They are currently being manufactured. We have already bought them and it will be shipped from China. So, in the next few weeks or so, we should be getting those,” she stated.

The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in many corporate entities going under, as was the case with previous sponsor, Alpha-Factor. However, Quatro Enterprise Limited has stepped in to fill that void and will also be providing the association with US$4,000 to assist with their equipment drive.

“We have partnered with Quatro, a leotard company. We had a partnership with the Alpha-Factor, but due to the COVID situation, they have closed down. We are happy that Quatro did not and they have come on board to partner with us. They will be giving us US$4,000 towards our equipment campaign and, along with the parents who are contributing their little much, we will be purchasing a few landing equipment, as well as replacing equipment like the bars that have been worn. So we will replace those (worn-out equipment) along with other equipment that are needed,” she said.

The JGA cry for support in acquiring equipment for its young gymnasts, started in March, with the association targeting US$32,000 worth of training equipment. They also started a Gofundme account to assist their efforts but only managed to raise a mere US$1,500 from that venture.