THE Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) saw in excess of 30 per cent increase in its income for the 12-month period between November 2008 and October 2009, according to statistics published in the latest Economic Social Survey Jamaica (ESSJ).

The report also shows that track and field’s local governing body had an operating surplus in excess of J$4 million last year in comparison to a deficit of $4.8 million the previous year.

At the same time the association’s total operating income was 31.7 per cent more last year and that was attributed to an increase from all categories except gate receipts which was said to have fallen by 10 per cent.

The JAAA received an almost 95 per cent increase in grants from the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) amounting to J$8.1 million which was the most of any local sporting organisation.

The Jamaica Amateur Basketball Association (JABA) came the closest in SDF grants, receiving $5.5 million last year.

According to the report, the increase in the grant allocated by the SDF was due mainly to Jamaica’s participation in the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin, Germany where the country earned 13 medals — seven gold, four silver, and two bronze.

The athletics body also saw a major boost in its income from Gear Sponsors Puma, which went up by over 34 per cent.

The JAAA’s also spent more money last year on the 24 local competitions under its auspices, the five regional competitions in which Jamaica participated, as well as on athletes assistance.

The body, however, spent less on the National Championships, its secretariat office, seminars and training.

In all the JAAA had a total operating expenditure of J$103.4 million, which was 19 per cent more than the previous year, according to the ESSJ report, which is a project of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).