KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange has signalled that her ministry is in the process of developing a national framework for the mobilisation of more Jamaicans “to participate in various forms of physical activity that contribute to mental and physical fitness, facilitate social interaction and foster social cohesion while building bridges of friendship at all levels of the Jamaican society.”

In a statement, delivered by Permanent Secretary Alison McLean at the ‘Sports for National Development’ symposium held at the University of Technology, in observance of World Heritage Day 2016, Grange said in order to broaden the understanding of sport in national development, greater attention must be paid to the human aspects.

“The first consideration must be to look at sport as a means to achieve good health,” the minister said, explaining that “If every citizen were healthy and performing at optimal capacity there would be higher productivity and hence a more vibrant economy.”

World Heritage Day was commemorated under the theme ‘The Heritage of Sport’.

According to Grange, the framework will also take into consideration the important role sports play in building strong character and confidence and “therefore prepare our young people to be in a better position to meet challenges in a highly competitive world”.

Another area to be addressed is maximizing the potential sports have in acting as a bonding agent between communities and serving as a tool for peace.

“We need to look at sport from a national point of view as one of the means with immense potentials to resolve conflicts and to create cohesiveness in our society by promoting unity within this nation. When sport talents are discovered and developed to the highest level this can serve to bridge the gap in communities affected by tribalism,” Grange said.

The symposium featured presentations from Olympian, Grace Jackson; President of the West Indies Players Association, Wavell Hinds; Senior Director, Sports, Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Florette Blackwood; Director, Sports, University Technology Jamaica, Anthony Davis; Principal, GC Foster College, Joyce Graham Royal; and Founder of Team Jamaica Bickle, Irwine Clare who joined the discussion by phone.