Minister of Sport Olivia Grange says she wants to fast-track the process of developing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for cooperation in the area of sport between the governments of Chile and Jamaica.

On Saturday, both governments signed a declaration of intent to develop a programme of activities during the next 12 months towards finalising an MOU for sports cooperation.

The signing of the declaration of intent followed bilateral discussions led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness and the President of Chile Sebastián Piñera, in Montego Bay, St James.

Minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Pearnel Charles Jr signed on behalf of Jamaica, while Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Alfonso Silva signed on behalf of Chile.

Under the programme, it is envisaged that “Chile will send their coaches to Jamaica for training, particularly in track and field, and we will send our coaches to Chile for training in gymnastics, table tennis and field hockey,” said Grange.

She explained that the process of developing the MOU requires, among other things, consultation “with the local sports organisations here to ensure that what we are including in the MOU is workable”. The process also includes consultations with the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service as well as with the Attorney General’s Chamber.

Grange said the signing of the declaration of intent signals a willingness to expedite the process, as Chile “are particularly keen on getting our support and our assistance so that their athletes can be ready for [the PanAm Games in] 2023. The president was very clear, very specific. The minister of sports made contact with me and she also was very clear that they’re anxious to get the programme going.”

Minister Grange said that Jamaica was also keen on technical cooperation with Chile in sport infrastructure development. “They have an impressive facility; over 10 disciplines are taught there. We want to go and look at it and to see how we can get technical assistance and advice.”