Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and other principal stakeholders yesterday signed off on the inauguration of the Jamaican Athletes’ Insurance Plan (JAIP), thereby fulfilling the promise of a new dawn for sportsmen and women who relentlessly carry the hopes of a nation on their shoulders.

The formal agreement was completed inside the Executive Building Lobby at the Office of the Prime Minister.

The JAIP forms a part of recommendations outlined in the National Sports Policy of 2013.

The plan, set to take effect February 1, 2016, aims to provide sustainable health and life insurance, pension and retirement coverage for all eligible national athletes.

Athletes who are members of a national association or federation are eligible.

The cost of premiums will be shared between the Government of Jamaica and the national sport associations and federations. The Government is to contribute 95 per cent, while collectively, the sporting bodies are to provide the remaining five per cent.

Referring to the effect that JAIP is intended to have in matters relating to the welfare of athletes, Simpson Miller, who has direct oversight of the sport portfolio, said yesterday’s signing represented “another memorable day in the history of sport in Jamaica”.

“The Jamaica Athletes’ Insurance Plan, which we are launching today (yesterday), represents real progress,” the prime minister added.

Simpson Miller praised Minister with responsibility for sport Natalie Neita Headley for her role in reconstituting the National Council on Sport, which created a committee tasked with recommending a sustainable welfare plan for athletes.

Neita Headley, who saw the National Sport Policy tabled in Parliament in March 2013, beamed with pride as she spoke on the importance of providing welfare for athletes.

“The National Sport Policy of 2013 outlines the Government’s intention to create an environment which facilitates the health, wellness, security, and social protection, safety and prosperity of all athletes. The policy further recognises and acknowledges the outstanding contributions which national athletes make to the positive image of Jamaica and the enhancement of Brand Jamaica,” she said.

Neita Headley said that Cabinet gave approval for the award of contracts to the Guardian Group and Allied Insurance Brokers, with the insurers being Sagicor.

She explained that the fund to support the insurance plan is secured for the next three years, courtesy of commitments from State-run agencies Sports Development Foundation (SDF), the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), and the National Health Fund (NHF).

Eric Hosin, the president of Guardian Group, said national athletes “enhance Brand Jamaica” and should be rewarded accordingly.

“What they do for us as a country is often done at great personal sacrifice, and so we should seize every opportunity to show that we appreciate them and we should celebrate when we are able to do so in a tangible way,” Hosin added.

Amanda Beepat, the general manager of Allied Insurance, also lauded athletes for their contribution to the nation.

“Our athletes have brought us much glory… which is why it is so important that we protect them and provide them with the support that they need,” she said.

Reggae Girl and 2016 Rhodes Scholar Sherona Forrester said the implementation of the JAIP is “a step in the right direction towards protecting athletes”.