It comes as no surprise that in her second dispensation as prime minister of Jamaica, Mrs Portia Simpson Miller has again incorporated sport among her ministerial responsibilities.

We suspect too, that across the sporting fraternity, there is a sense of considerable relief. For few, if any, within the new Cabinet has the breadth of knowledge regarding the issues affecting sport as should Mrs Simpson Miller. This after decades of being either the minister responsible for the sector or the shadow spokesperson.

Nor should there be any question regarding her commitment to sport and to those who compete and have competed in Jamaican colours.

In its election manifesto, Mrs Simpson Miller's People's National Party (PNP) reminded Jamaicans of an impressive list of physical and administrative sporting structures set up by its governments over the last 50 years. Mrs Simpson Miller can proudly claim that a number of those, including the National Sports Council, Sports Development Foundation (SDF), the National Indoor Sports Centre, The Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium, The Sports Development Foundation, and the CHASE Fund were established under her watch as minister between 1989 and 2007.

We are aware that she understands the great value of sport in promoting the Jamaican brand. Hence her reference in her inaugural address on Thursday to this summer's London Olympics and the promise of more glorious performances by Jamaican athletes. The Games will present, she said, another chance "to unite and work together as one people, and take full advantage of the prospects that will emerge... as we invite the rest of the world to 'Meet Jamaica'..."

Dovetailed to Jamaica's 50th anniversary celebrations, the Olympics will present an opportunity too good to miss as Mrs Simpson Miller well knows, having witnessed the spinoffs from the success of Mr Usain Bolt, Mrs Veronica Campbell-Brown, et al over recent years and the qualification of the Reggae Boyz to the FIFA World Cup finals in France back in 1998.

And while sport has done its part in nation-building, as we have pointed out on many occasions previously it also has great potential as a foreign exchange earner. The millions of dollars brought in annually by some of our top sportsmen and women in athletics, football and cricket should, by itself, be testimony to that potential.

However, for sport to be sustainably developed, the State, even in these tough economic times, must continue to provide adequate support.

The PNP in its manifesto has pledged to continue its "fine tradition" of support by "Seeking to intensify all efforts to maximise the country's sports potential; Developing sports tourism as an integral part of the country's approach to national development; Taking advantage of the performance of our outstanding sportsmen and women by producing video documentaries and films, which enhance the profile of the indigenous film industry and further promote Brand Jamaica; The introduction, after broad consultation, of a Revised National Sports Policy; Ensuring that the Trelawny Sports Complex is developed into a truly multi-purpose facility; Establishment of a Sports Museum; Re-establishment of the National Sports Council; Constant interaction and dialogue with national sports organisations; Strengthening the capacity of schools and community institutions to provide recreational opportunities for children and adults as a contributor to healthy lifestyles; Encouraging the integration of sports activities with the range of creative pursuits in co-curricular school and youth club programmes for promoting leadership skills, self-confidence, wholesome relationships and pride in country".

Given her record, we feel confident that Mrs Simpson Miller will do her utmost to fulfil these promises. We will be watching.

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