WHILE there were a few hiccups along the way, first-vice president of the National Association of Domino Bodies (NADB), Humbert Davis says that his association has done wonders to make 2022 a very successful and productive year in developing the sport across the island.

Davis said that over the years the NADB has been very successful in its drive to get youth and young professionals from various fields to become members and become integrally involved with the sport for its furtherance and development.

He also argued that his association’s aim has always been to improve the social and emotional well-being of all Jamaicans through engagement in the Character Education Programme; robust psychosocial support; and improved school, home, and wider community relations.

While the NADB’s strongest support comes from national and school summer programmes, programmes in deaf schools, and correctional centres, Davis said that one of their major hits for 2022 was the inclusion of the domino programmes in the communities.

“This year, 2022, was a great year for us. It was all about looping, and it was well done; looping means conducting, contracting, and constructing. We went into the 14 parishes in Jamaica and were able to cover a total of 274 communities with over 1000 players participating,” Davis told the Jamaica Observer.

“Every human being has a part to play, and so the play supersedes everything. If we were able to do 14 parishes and over 270 communities in one year, then that must be a master plan. Plus, we have trained some facilitators, and obviously this must be a master plan,” Davis said.

Davis said his association is constantly evaluating and analysing its core functions and processes in order to improve the game.

“Domino, being a subtle pastime, is universal in its reach and likely to be found in every nook and cranny in urban and rural areas. The association seeks to strengthen their linkages with the communities through partnerships, which will see the establishment of contracts developed by groups of players and the association.

“The association has been focusing on reinforcing the strategic programme process, where the focal point has been on streamlining overarching priorities on their national and regional levels and the objectives of the programme area,” Davis said.

Davis said that the game of dominoes itself has a multifactorial effect on the human psyche as it improves cognitive intelligence because it involves planning effective strategies to cope with new situations and being able to overcome difficulties.

“As previously stated, it stimulates attention and memory; the game promotes cognitive development so it aids in the development of thought. It improves interpersonal and social intelligence since it requires action and active participation through interaction with others, broadening the world’s relationships and strengthening socialisation,” explained the domino boss.