SPECIAL Olympics Caribbean Executive Director Lorna Bell has come out in praise of stakeholders in western Jamaica ahead of the historic 2026 beach games in Montego Bay, St James.

The Special Olympics Caribbean Beach Bames, to be hosted at Harmony Beach Park, is expected to include approximately 20 Special Olympics regional programmes, featuring participation in swimming, football, volleyball, basketball and bocce.

The beach games is the first of its kind to be held in Jamaica.

Bell, who attended a St James Municipal Corporation meeting last week, said the general support — led by Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon — has been emphatically positive.

“I had the pleasure of visiting Montego Bay with my Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) colleague, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Stephanie Lindsay, where we were invited to address the municipality. They were eager to learn more about Special Olympics and the Caribbean Beach Games, which will take place in their beautiful city from November 18–22.

“It was a joy sharing about the movement with them, and we must extend our sincere gratitude to His Worship the Mayor, Richard Vernon, and his team for welcoming us and pledging their full support for the beach games,” she said, noting that Vernon is slated to deliver the keynote address during the opening ceremony of the games.

Bell also gave the nod to corporate partners National Commercial Bank and Total Tools, as well as United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for their backing.

“We thank National Commercial Bank and Total Tools, two valued Montego Bay partners, for supporting this important event and our mission of inclusion.

“Additonally, UNESCO’s partnership with the Special Olympics Caribbean Beach Games reinforces the importance of inclusion and equal opportunities for persons with intellectual disabilities. Their support will help us use sport to promote dignity, unity, and lasting social change throughout Jamaica and the wider Caribbean,” she noted.

The Special Olympics regional executive director urged full spectator endorsement throughout the beach games, pointing to the potential social impact of highlighting the prodigious talents of people with intellectual disabilities.

“The Caribbean Beach Games will showcase what true inclusion is all about and will demonstrate its importance to nation-building. We are therefore calling on all Montegonians to come out and support our athletes and the Games.

“Our vision is to leave a lasting legacy, one in which Montego Bay is known not only as one of the premier tourist hot spots in Jamaica, but also as the city of inclusion. Together, let us make history and show the Caribbean and the world that in Montego Bay, no one is left behind,” Bell said, adding that Harmony Beach Park will remain open to the public during the games.