ORGANISATIONS charged with the development of sport have been urged to encourage widespread take-up of insurance coverage for the nation’s athletes.

Citing the possibility of injuries and other eventualities, even death, Olivia Grange, minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport, urged associations to ensure participants are enrolled in the Jamaica Athletes’ Insurance Plan (JAIP).

Grange underscored the importance of sporting associations driving the process for insurance coverage through JAIP, noting that it is under-subscribed having just about 2,000 athletes registered with the programme since its launch 10 years ago.

“I’m going to charge you all this evening to make sure you have your athletes signed up for the plan. We provide life, accident and health [coverage] and it includes visits for mental health, because sometimes athletes feel really depressed, down and out,” she said. “They’re not so sure what’s happening and they just need to go and talk to someone who can help them, and walk them through that period where they may not have done well at the Games and need some support and some counselling. So that’s the first thing I want you all to make that commitment tonight to do.”

She made the call during a Sales Marketing Sensitisation Session hosted by the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) in partnership with Guardian Life.

“We prefer if you come to us and we tell you ‘No, this athlete is not representing the country nationally or internationally so we can’t sign them up, but we will find other ways of giving them support,’ ” said Grange.

The seminar was designed specifically for national sporting associations, and experienced industry professionals also shared strategies to increase income streams through sales, sponsorship positioning techniques, marketing insights to attract partners, and strengthening the commercial appeal of the associations.

Oneil Clarke, vice-president for life, health and pensions sales at Guardian Life Group, said sustainable organisations are built on the pillars of protection, stability and long-term planning, and stated its objective to help sporting organisations build a foundation on those principles.

“Sports carries inherent risk, whether it is injury to athletes, health challenges faced by administrators, or unforeseen disruptions that can cause impact on operations. Through our life insurance solutions Guardian Life provides financial protection for individuals and organisations, ensuring that families and teams are not left vulnerable in moments of uncertainty,” he said.

“Athletes, coaches and administrators are the backbone of this sporting ecosystem. Our health insurance solutions are designed to provide access to quality medical care, preventative services — and wellness supports healthy teams and healthy leadership structures.”

The career lifespan of an athlete is quite brief — generally ending in the mid-30s — in comparison to other professionals whose retirement age is typically around 65 years. Clarke said this means long-term security is required.

“Perhaps most importantly, for organisations thinking long term, is retirement and financial security. Many people dedicate their lives to sports, whether athletes, administrators or technical personnel. Through our pension and retirement solutions Guardian Life helps individuals and organisations plan for life beyond active competition,” he said.

“Our administrative service ensures that the people who build our sporting legacy can enjoy financial security in the future. Beyond individual protection, these types of solutions also strengthen organisations themselves,” added Clarke. “They create stability, build trust with stakeholders, and demonstrate professionalism to potential sponsors and partners — and that is extremely important.”

GRANGE…sometimes athletes feel really depressed, down and out (Photo: Observer file)