KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia “Babsy” Grange, says that the experience of the just concluded 2017 IAAF World Championships in London is an “eye opener” for Jamaica’s athletics administration.

“It is a changing of the guard. We are changing to another generation of athletes, but they must have the right programme to give them a chance to become as great as they can be,” Grange told OBSERVER ONLINE shortly after her return to Kingston tonight.

She said that the Government would continue to focus on infrastructural development, as well as programmes to ensure that the athletes have proper insurance to cover health and injury issues. However, she said that it was a time for reckoning.

She stated that, while the Government intends to do its part, there is a need for the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) to play a greater role in sustaining Jamaica’s position in track and field, as well as to encourage improvements in its relationship with the coaches; and for the private sector to play a greater role in maintaining Jamaica’s competitive edge.

“Private sector companies need to come on board. The private sector will have to play a major part,” she insisted.

“The JAAA have a responsibility and they have not been doing it. They have what it takes to do the basic things, but they are not doing it,” she said.

“This is a time for all Jamaicans to recognise that there has to be a coming together, so we can once again dominate the world. It is not impossible. We can do it again, and I know we will. But, we need to understand that the competition is getting better and we have to step up if we are to sustain our position,” she said.

She also noted that the Government’s role is framed by a national sport policy, which requires that its success must be in keeping with national development goals and must be aligned to sustainable development targets.

Jamaica finished 16th with one gold medal and three bronze medals at the World Championships. Balford Henry