KINGSTON, Jamaica — Natalie Neita-Headley, junior minister with responsibility for Sports has committed to boosting the capacity of local sports organizations.

According to Neita-Headley this is in an effort to increase the number of events that Jamaica will participate in at the next Olympics in Rio de Janiero, Brazil in 2016.

The sports minster said she hopes to see Jamaica participating in at least 13 events at the Rio Games.

“I am committed to ensuring that as I work with the partners involved – the Jamaica Olympic Association, Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association and the various sporting disciplines – that we look at diversifying and increasing the number of areas in which Jamaicans will participate in Rio 2016...If we can focus on seven for 2016, to add to the six that we are already in, then we will be in 13 for 2016,” she said.

The Sports Minister stated that disciplines such as beach volleyball, table tennis, cycling, badminton, skeet and boxing, could be explored.