While successive governments have tried various policies, legislations, and projects to stem the alarming increase in criminal activities, particularly murder, the real answers, solutions, and positive outcomes continue to elude us. Despite the constant changing of the guard at the helm of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and an agonising series of national security ministers, marches, prayer vigils, and the naming of special squads (too many to mention here), the heinous killings continue with no seeming end in sight.

While it can be argued successfully that there are no quick fixes, even as meaningful solutions continue to elude us, we remain convinced that sports and the performing arts can play a pivotal role in helping to change this socio-economic landscape. For example, there is sufficient empirical evidence to suggest that when some communities are doing very well, especially in football, which is undoubtedly the most popular sport in the country, there is usually a reasonable reduction in violent crimes.

In recent times, however, football, which still remains the most popular sporting activity, has been on the decline. Part of the reason for this is that the business community, with a few exceptions, has not been providing worthwhile sponsorship, especially for inner-city and rural teams from where most of the excellent, talented players tend to emerge. Encouragingly, a number of corporate entities, such as J Wray and Nephew, have been stepping up to the plate, but they need to be reminded that Kingston is not Jamaica. That is why Yoni Epstein of itel fame (Montego Bay United), Craig Butler (Vere Phoenix), and Peter Gould (Mt Pleasant) are to be wholeheartedly commended for literally putting their mouths where their money is.

One unfortunate situation that is becoming even worse daily is the overwhelming and stifling influx of Chinese merchants and business people who so far have failed to be good corporate citizens and have displayed not much interest in giving back to the communities from which they make their huge profits, especially in sports and the arts, which traditionally have been the Cinderella of Jamaica’s development profile. Kudos to the Sandals team, which has been an exemplary corporate citizen in this regard. In the meantime, our political representatives, unfortunately, continue to use sports as a mere vote-getting tool during election campaigns only to dilute or abandon their efforts once the ‘silly season’ is over.

The performing arts comprise dance, music, speech, and drama, and we also have the fine arts, which include painting, sculpting, ceramics, and art and craft. All of these can be placed under the umbrella of the creative industry, now being referred to internationally as the orange economy, which many experts are predicting is the best route for Jamaica to attain economic independence. We have already seen what track and field has produced with the stellar performances of our world-class athletes, led by the inimitable legend Usain Bolt.

Then there are the reggae and dancehall genres that have become worldwide phenomenons thanks to the greatest icon of that cultural sector, the world-renowned Bob Marley. Just think of the billions of dollars that our sports and music, not mention our first-class cuisine have generated. But, unfortunately, because of lack of insight, others elsewhere have been capitalising on our culture while we sit aside and look.

Against this backdrop, we urge our policymakers and planners to seriously revisit this aspect of national development, which remains a veritable gold mine. And in this regard, we encourage the powers that be to explore this critical community development component that can be integrated into the thriving tourism industry. It is no secret that there is too much foreign input in what is offered to tourists, most of whom come here and want to experience authentic reggae and dancehall music. Just look at the phenomenal success of Reggae Sumfest — head honcho Joe Bogdanovich is now planning to export this stellar Jamaican brand to Brazil and Africa.

The link between tourism, sports, and our cultural industries is yet to be fully exploited. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has been a true visionary, but that aspect of socio-economic development appears to have escaped his full attention, even as he expatiates on sustainability and resilience in that sector. In the years ahead, visitors will be seeking more than just sand, sea, and sun. The emphasis will have to be on experiences, and our vibrant and infectious culture is where we can create that magnate that will make us attract even more tourists, not just to be confined on all-inclusive properties but to be integrated in our communities via sports and the arts.

In this vein, that great white elephant, the Trelawny Stadium, needs to be repositioned to become a game-changer (no pun intended) with respect to sports tourism. In the meantime, it boggles the mind why the city of Montego Bay, which is highly regarded as the tourism mecca of not only Jamaica but the Caribbean, is yet to be blessed with a full-fledged performing arts centre.

Even as we celebrate yet another period of Emancipendence and watch with bated breath and eager anticipation fraught with optimism the performances of our athletes, not to mention the showcasing of our culture through various activities put on by Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), the potent words of National Hero Marcus Garvey, as sung by reggae icon Bob Marley, must forcefully remind us of the mission of this generation: “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds.” And it must be stressed that sports and the arts must be part and parcel of that liberating force that can take us to true prosperity and self-determination.

Long live sports and the arts!

Lloyd B Smith has been involved in Jamaican media for the past 49 years. He has served as a Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He hails from Montego Bay where he is popularly known as the Governor. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or lbsmith4@gmail.com.