JAMAICA Gymnastics Association (JGA) President Nicole Grant says she feels “truly blessed” that the Pan American Gymnastics Union (PAGU) has chosen the country to host the Pan American Youth/Hopes tournament and the Caribbean presidents meeting.

The festival begins on Tuesday and runs until December 12. The first event runs from Tuesday to December 12 with the annual Jamaica Gymnastics Classic during which over 300 gymnasts will compete.

The national trials start on December 2, with overseas-based gymnasts from the USA, Canada and the UK competing to make the national senior, junior, and junior development teams.

PAGU will host the Caribbean gymnastics presidents at a special function on December 4, followed a day later by a Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) Stamina seminar on Governance conducted by JOA President Christopher Samuda.

JGA says the activities will provide a platform for exchange and collaboration among the gymnastics family in the Pan American region.

“This gathering will serve as a platform to discuss key issues, exchange best practices and ideas for growth, and lay the foundation for future collaborations that will elevate gymnastics in the Caribbean to new heights,” Grant said. “It is an invaluable opportunity for leaders of gymnastics associations in the region to come together, share insights, and foster cooperation.

“It’s an important milestone. I’m really happy and honoured that they’ve chosen Jamaica to host this prestigious tournament which will showcase the dedication, skills, and passion of gymnasts from the Pan Am region. This is definitely a testament to the growth and development of gymnasts in Jamaica.”

The National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston will host the major international tournament where gymnasts from Argentina, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Panama, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela will compete from December 9 to 10.

The final event on the schedule is a clinic at National Gymnastics Training Centre in Kingston, which JGA says will be conducted by a US-based gymnastics expert.

“We couldn’t have executed this plan without our wonderful sponsors Mayberry Investments, Supreme Ventures, Sports Development Foundation, the Jamaica Olympic Association, the Ministry of Sports, The Peachtree Centre, CL Environmental, and Logo Stitch Manufacturing, who have been supporting and continue to support us,” Grant said. “Without these wonderful people who supported the initial vision we wouldn’t have reached this milestone. We also welcome and hope for long-term relationships with our new sponsors Tourism Enhancement Fund, AS James and Associates, and the International Pre-Diabetes Center in the USA.”