BY RUDDY ALLEN

THE Government of Jamaica (GOJ) is onboard with the Jamaica Badminton Association (JBA) to host the 2014 World Badminton Federation’s (WBF) Shuttle Time Programme in primary and secondary schools and community centres across the country.

The announcement was made at a press conference in the Banquet Hall at the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday.

Speaking at the launch, minister with responsibility for sport Natalie Neita-Headley said that she is pleased with the steps that the JBA is taking in developing the sport of badminton and that she is happy to be a part of their movement going forward.

“The very first time badminton was included in the Commonwealth Games was here in Jamaica in 1966. We have history in badminton, we dominated the Caribbean Championships for years and continue to do well, but the sport has not grown as it should, hence our pleasure in seeing the current administration taking steps to remedy the situation.

“With the introduction of this Shuttle Time programme, I am expecting a new level of excitement for badminton to be ignited. I am also confident that this programme will make it even more accessible to many more Jamaicans, young and old,” the sport minister said.

Neita-Headley also said that badminton is one of the sporting disciplines that she would like to see represented at Rio 2016.

“Again and again, I have expressed my desire to see the diversification in the sporting disciplines at which we excel. Badminton is a great sport, a global phenomenon, a fun and exciting game for all ages and I look forward to seeing the result in a podium finish at the Olympic Games very soon,” she said.

The JBA president Robert Richards said that the Shuttle Time programme is another step going forward in developing badminton in the country.

“The goal is to bring badminton to every child in the world, and to make badminton the most popular sport in schools. This innovative training programme focuses on helping teachers and coaches to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence, to plan and deliver safe and fun badminton lessons to children and youth in schools, clubs and community centres,” Richards noted.

Richards then thanked all the sponsors for their continuing support towards the sport.

“The JBA would like to thank the GOJ, through Neita-Headley, the funding organisation directly in charge of sports, the Social Development Foundation (SDF), the Jamaica Olympic Association, INSPORTS, the media and all others who play a vital role in the development of the Shuttle Time programme and the sport of badminton in Jamaica.”