KINGSTON, Jamaica — Following discussions coming out of a courtesy call made by the President of the Pan American Weightlifting Federation Jose Quinones on her office last Friday, Minister of Sports Olivia “Babsy” Grange said she is excited about the re-emergence of the sport in Jamaica.

“I thought the courtesy call that was made by the president bore fruitful results because we were able to have a very productive discussion. I am looking forward to working closely with the local federation along with the Pan American Federation to rebuild weightlifting in Jamaica,” she said.

According to a release on Sunday, newly elected Pan-Am President Quinones made a two-day stop on the island with the intention of getting discussions going with various sporting bodies for his organisation to help to revive the sport in Jamaica.

His last port of call on his way out was with the sports minister. Following those discussions, a blueprint was established on how to make those dream become a reality.

The costs associated with getting the sport up and running are not prohibitive and because of this, the minister believes that things can happen quickly with the roll-out of weightlifting both at the school and community level.

“It’s a real low-hanging fruit. We can work even at the basic school level, the primary school level and at the community level to rebuild the sport of weightlifting.

“It’s a basic sport that can help in so many other sporting disciplines because you are speaking about training in strength, you’re talking about discipline and focus, physical fitness and we have even discussed with the president, utilising their educational platform,” she continued.

The minister said she is excited to work closely with the local federation and the Pan-Am Federation to make things come together in weightlifting.

“This has been a productive courtesy call and it’s a win-win situation and I am looking forward to working with the local body and with the Pan-American Federation to rebuild weightlifting and to use it also to help to strengthen and enhance other sporting disciplines,” the minister said, adding that she anticipates seeing the impact the sport will have on Jamaica.

“I am looking forward to 2025 when we are looking at an international event in weightlifting right here in Jamaica, but even before that I am looking forward to them sending coaches who will coach, coaches and who will help us to recruit persons to be involved in weightlifting,” she said. “I am also looking forward to the street format that we spoke about. There is always a space in communities and in urban areas and rural areas where you can set up the platform and have a pop-up event. So, I am really looking forward to that. I am really excited, and this is a low hanging fruit that we can get going right away.”

Coaches from Canada are expected on the island as early as next month to begin training individuals who are interested in becoming weightlifting coaches.