DR Nelson Christian Stokes says his appointment as chairman of the Marketing Commission of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) could benefit Jamaican youngsters involved in sports.

Stokes, the chairman of the Jamaica Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (JBSF), was invited to take on the role by Keith Joseph who was recently elected president of CANOC and said in his letter of invitation: “This comes after careful consideration of your wealth of experience in the field of marketing, and understanding of and leadership in the Olympic movement and Commonwealth sports fraternity subsequent to your involvement as an athlete.”

In response Stokes said: “My own intention has been to focus on creating opportunities for young boys and girls in Jamaica to develop through sport. This is an important component, I believe, of not only the development of our young people but the development of a wider range of sports in Jamaica and, ultimately, national development.

“This opportunity comes after following carefully the South American games last October in Paraguay. It was very clear to me that we need to deepen and widen sport participation and competition in the Caribbean. I will apply myself to supporting this objective from within CANOC.”

Stokes is also chairman of the World Olympians Association Awards Commission and the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation Audit Committee.

­— Paul Reid