Kingston, January 16 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange is urging the country’s sports bodies to register their athletes with the Jamaican Athletes’ Insurance Plan.

The Jamaican Athletes’ Insurance Plan is the Government’s Group Health, Group Life and Personal Accident Plan for all eligible national athletes.

Speaking at the Opening of the upgraded Administrative Building of the Aquatic Sports Association of Jamaica (ASAJ) at Independence Park Complex today (Wednesday), Minister Grange said:

“It has been frequent that athletes with severe health problems turn to Government for help. And we have provided assistance in just about every case. But it is very troubling to realise that some of those very same athletes could have benefitted from coverage under the Jamaican Athletes’ Insurance Plan if only they were registered through their associations or federations, or had made direct contact with the Ministry to initiate the process.”

The Minister referred to the case of the boxer, Sakima Mullings, who is severely ill but is not on the Insurance Plan. Sakima was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary condition affecting the retina in his left eye, which also causes sensitivity to light.

“When I hear about cases such as Sakima’s, it pains my heart and I would like him to know that we are praying for his full recovery. More than that, already we have decided to provide Sakima with $1M to help him to meet his medical expenses. The Ministry is in close contact with the Jamaica Boxing Board of Control as we seek to find out what further assistance we could give,” Minister Grange said.

Minister Grange said that getting athletes registered with the Plan was very important, so much so that there is a full-time administrator working on the Athletes’ Insurance Plan in the Ministry.

“The Ministry has constantly called for sporting associations to join the plan to insure national athletes or those in development squads preparing to represent Jamaica. I make the appeal, persons in my Ministry make the appeal, but still there are many eligible athletes who have not been registered,” the Minister said.

So far, only 1300 athletes are registered with the Insurance Plan and according to the Minister, “for a country like Jamaica with such outstanding athletes we should have more than 1300”.

Sports people eligible to be covered under the Plan must be a member in good standing with the national association or federation. They must be enrolled in the national development programme for a specific sporting discipline. They must participate in at least two Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission training sessions per year.

Kingston, January 11, 2019 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, says that a committee has been established to oversee the execution of the development of the Drax Hall Sports Complex in St Ann.

Minister Grange was speaking yesterday (January 10) following a meeting with the Member of Parliament for North East St Ann, the Honourable Shahine Robinson; Mayor of St Ann’s Bay, Michael Belnavis; President, St Ann Football Association, Danny Beckford; representatives from the Mount Pleasant Football Academy and other key stakeholders to discuss plans for the Drax Hall Sports Complex.

“We have initiated a programme of sports infrastructure development and Drax Hall was one of those facilities identified as one of the Jamaica 55 Legacy Projects. We have set up a committee to see to the execution of the development of the facility,” Minister Grange said.

The Drax Hall Sports Complex is now being used by the Mount Pleasant Football Academy for training and for home matches in the Premier League.

The proposed development for Drax Hall included two football fields, a multipurpose court, swimming pool and a number of other facilities to accommodate other sporting disciplines.

Minister Grange said the committee will review the design in light of works done at the facility by the Mount Pleasant Football Academy.

“This is going to be a perfect example of private/public partnership,” the Minister added.

The committee will include representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Sport Development Foundation, Independence Park Limited, the St Ann Municipal Corporation, the St Ann Football Association and the Mount Pleasant Football Academy.

“This is really a broad-based group coming together in the interest of the development of football in this parish –  working together to ensure that we have a first-class multipurpose sporting facility in St Ann,”

Minister Grange said.

Minister Grange said that the committee has been given a year to execute the development at Drax Hall.

Kingston, January 7 - The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, has said that she was pleased that the work to install a new track at Stadium East in the Independence Park complex started today (January 7) as previously announced.

The Sport Minister spoke from Stadium East where grading work started to remove the old track which will be replaced by a new Regupol running track.

“Today as we start the process to replace this track we must remember that Stadium East has provided the training ground for some of Jamaica’s top class athletes including the legendary Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Veronica Campbell Brown and Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce among others. Indeed, it may have nurtured and produced the best athletes in the world.

“I must express gratitude to the Ministry of Finance and Planning for their level of cooperation with my Ministry to make this project a reality.”

Minister Grange added that the Ministry hopes to put in new running tracks in central and eastern Jamaica in the next fiscal year.

Meanwhile, the contractor on the project, Peter Breuer, Director Export, BSW of Germany, said that the company was creating history in Jamaica by using newly developed durable material at the request of the Minister. The material will also be used for other locations in Jamaica.

Regupol running tracks which are manufactured in accordance with the IAAF quality standards are suitable for both international professional sports as well as for school and popular sports.

Kingston, January 2 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, is urging participating sports associations in the Technical Cooperation Project on Sport Coaching between Jamaica and China to make the best use of the opportunity. 

Minister Grange was speaking today as she welcomed a new batch of Chinese coaches at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. 

“I want to charge the associations to ensure, as much as possible, that training starts on time, that athletes embrace the values of hard work and discipline and that your coaches learn as much as they can from this visit,”

Minister Grange said. 

Seven coaches, representing seven disciplines: Synchronised Swimming, Gymnastics, Swimming, Badminton, Women’s Volleyball, Women’s Football and Women’s Basketball, a team manager and an interpreter are now in Jamaica to commence year two of the project which started last year with the arrival of the first batch of coaches. 

During the summer of last year a delegation of 138 athletes, coaches and managers also travelled to China for a period of 60 days for specialised training and competition. 

“I want to remind the associations of the goals that you set for yourselves – to qualify for and improve Jamaica’s ranking in major regional and international competitions including the PanAm Games this year and the Olympics next year,” Minister Grange added. 

Under the agreement, the Chinese government has also donated equipment for the seven sporting disciplines. The donations include a completely outfitted gym for gymnastics, which is already landed. 

“On behalf of the Government and People of Jamaica, I want to express our sincere gratitude to the Government and People of the People’s Republic of China for the equipment. They are securely stored and my office is working out the details with the Chinese Embassy for an official handing-over ceremony to be held before the end of the month,” Minister Grange said.

Kingston 28 December 2018 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has extended congratulations to Reggae Girl Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, on being named Footballer of the Year by the Guardian newspaper in the United Kingdom.

Shaw is only the third recipient of the award and joins the ranks of world superstars Italian Fabio Piscane in 2016 and Spain’s Juan Mata in 2017.

Minister Grange said the award was even more significant since Shaw is the first female to cop the title.

Minister Grange said:

“This is terrific news. Following the grand celebrations we had for the entire team recently, this award is another fillip in their caps before the Reggae Girlz embark on preparations for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France. 

“The world is taking notice of what is happening in Jamaican women’s football and this will serve as further encouragement to players at all levels, that despite their circumstances, with the right attitude, approach, and support they can make it on the international stage.”

The Guardian award for Footballer of the Year is given to a player who has done something truly remarkable, whether by overcoming adversity, helping others or setting a sporting example by acting with exceptional honesty.

Minister Grange added: 

“Khadija has been a great role model not just on the football field with her league team the Lady Volunteers and her national team the Reggae Girlz. She has demonstrated the ability to rise above personal tragedy by keeping her eye on the ball. It must have been very difficult to have lost four brothers and still find the fortitude to pursue her dreams.”

“It gives me even greater pleasure in congratulating her knowing that she is from Spanish Town. I want young ladies across the country to look at her and the other Reggae Girlz and see what is possible in life.”

END

Kingston, 27 December 2018 – The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport says news of the death of Olympian sprint hurdler, Dionne Rose Henley, “has dampened somewhat our Festive Season as she died the day before Christmas after having just celebrated her 49^th birthday in November.”

“But she Dionne was a fine performer in her discipline of sprint hurdling, so we celebrate her life and contribution to Jamaica’s track and field,” Miss Grange said. 

Minister Grange said Dionne’s devotion to the sport continued long after her days on the track as she established herself as coach not only at Middle Tennessee State University where she had been a student, but at two other colleges in the United States.

“I wish on behalf of the Government to express sympathy to the relatives and friends of Dionne Rose Henley and to the track and field fraternity.

May her soul rest in peace.”

END

Kingston, December 18, 2018 (JIS):

Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Minister, Hon. Olivia Grange, has lauded a decision by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) to establish a welfare fund to support five former football players who have fallen on hard times.

A former netballer will also benefit from the support.

“We have to find a way to ensure that those who have contributed to the development of Jamaica… when they get older and are no longer seen as the current stars, that they are taken care of and that something is in place to help them,” Ms. Grange noted.

She was speaking at a ceremony to present the national women’s football team, the Reggae Girlz, with the Key to Spanish Town, during a ceremony in the old capital on December 18.

Making the announcement on the welfare fund, President of the JFF, Michael Ricketts, disclosed that the last Sunday in every year will be reserved for a fundraising game, with the proceeds going towards assisting the former players.

“So, on the 30^th (of December) the JFF has decided to have a fundraising game at Drax Hall (in St. Ann) and we’ve named a team comprised of all national masters. All of these players would have played for the national team in the World Cup qualifying era... We will have the national team, who will play against the Olympic squad,” he said.

A welfare committee has also been established and will be chaired by former President of Netball Jamaica, Marva Bernard.

Meanwhile, Minister Grange is urging the girls to prepare themselves for the future “so that when all the glory is over, you would have ensured that you are well prepared for it in your older years”.

Ms. Grange called for additional assistance from the private sector, especially the St. Catherine Chamber of Commerce, to assist the women’s football team in their World Cup journey to France next year, which received support from the JFF President.

The Sport Minister also announced plans for the phased development of the multi-use stadium, Prison Oval in Spanish Town, which is to commence in 2019.

Spanish Town Mayor, Councillor Norman Scott, in his remarks, expressed pride in the Reggae Girlz and congratulated them for continuing to make Jamaica proud.

The women’s football team Captain, Konya Plummer, thanked the Spanish Town Mayor for the honour bestowed on the squad.

The team has already received keys from the Mayors of Montego Bay and Kingston, and is scheduled to be similarly honoured by the Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay later today. 

Kingston 19 December 2018 – The national celebrations in honour of the historic qualification of the Jamaican team to the FIFA Women’s World Cup were a huge success, according to the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange.

The Minister said, the four-day celebrations, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, had achieved the objectives of introducing the Reggae Girlz to the people of Jamaica, presenting them as role models for women across the country and set the stage for increased tangible support for the team ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Minister appealed for more resources for the Girlz:

“I want to use the opportunity to encourage the private sector to come on board. So far a few have come on board, but we need more. We want them to put their money where their mouth is. We don’t want after we come back with the World Cup they all coming on the wagon. We want it up front. We want the financial support to make sure that the Girlz have all they need to ensure that they are well prepared for France.”

The four days of activities which began on Saturday ended on Tuesday with the Girlz being presented with the keys to Spanish Town and St Ann’s Bay by the respective mayors.

His Worship Councillor Norman Scott, presented the Key to Spanish Town at a civic ceremony held in Emancipation Square while His Worship Councillor Michael Belnavis presented the Key to St Ann’s Bay at a civic ceremony held at Sandals Ochi Beach Club in Ocho Rios.

The Reggae Girlz captain, Konya Plummer, who accepted the Keys on behalf of her teammates said they were “deeply humbled and appreciative” of the honour bestowed upon them.

In between the presentations, the members of the national team enjoyed the attractions at Mystic Mountain and at Dunn’s River Falls and Park, where the Girlz were welcomed with singing and the waving of flags by craft vendors and members of the public.

Minister Grange reflected on the significance of the Reggae Girlz being presented with keys to Spanish Town and St Ann’s Bay — two towns whose impact on Jamaican history has been immense.

It is believed that Christopher Columbus first landed in St Ann’s Bay in 1494 with New Seville becoming the first Spanish capital of Jamaica in 1509.

Spanish Town became the second capital of Jamaica in 1534 after the Spanish abandoned New Seville. Spanish Town is the oldest continuously inhabited town in Jamaica.

The Reggae Girlz were also presented with Keys to Kingston and Montego Bay and hosted by the Prime Minister during the celebrations.

Montego Bay 15 December 2018 – The members of the Jamaica senior women’s football team have been presented with the Key to the City of Montego Bay.

The presentation was made to the Reggae Girlz captain Konya Plummer this morning (Saturday) by His Worship the Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Homer Davis at the start of four days of national celebration, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport in honour of the team’s historic qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, said she was “grateful for the partnership and support of the Mayor and all the Councillors in the St James Municipal Corporation in the staging of this morning’s event at which the great honour was bestowed upon the Reggae Girlz.”

Minister Grange said:

“Everything that we have planned to celebrate these extraordinary women is well deserved and quite appropriate.

How can we forget that glorious day in October when Jamaica defeated Panama in the Concacaf Women’s Championship to become the first Caribbean country to qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup?

It was happy reward for years of blood, sweat and tears.  It was the happy outcome after many hours of training, gruelling games, tough tackles and stunning goals.  It was the result of talent, preparation and dedication.

It is an achievement that is well deserved and comes after overcoming several challenges.

The activities during the next few days were designed to make you feel the love of the Jamaican people.  They are also intended to garner much more support as you prepare for France 2019.”

Following the Civic Ceremony in Montego Bay, St James the Reggae Girlz are due to participate in a motorcade beginning at GC Foster College in St Catherine and ending at Tony Spaulding Complex in St Andrew.

Motorcade for Reggae Girlz

Meet and Greet at GC Foster College – 2:30PM – 3:30PM

Exit GC Foster College and then right onto Brunswick Avenue

Keep on Brunswick Ave then right onto Young Street

Left onto Burke Road and onwards to Mandela Highway through Twickenham Park and Central Village

Through Six Miles and onwards to Washington Boulevard/Dunrobin Avenue

Right onto Constant Spring Road going through Half Way Tree Square

Stop in Half Way Tree Square – 15 Minutes

Onwards to Half Way Tree Road going through Cross Roads

Onwards to Slipe Road

Right at Torrington Bridge and across to Slipe Pen Road

Left onto Rosseau Road

Left onto Beachwood Avenue and onwards to the Tony Spaulding Complex

HYPE ZONE in Arnett Gardens (Car Park of Tony Spaulding Complex) - 6:00PM – 7:30PM

The UPDATED schedule of activities:

Saturday, 15 December 2018 

• Civic Ceremony in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay (9:30AM to 10:30AM)
• motorcade across St Catherine, Kingston and St Andrew 

Sunday, 16 December 2018 

• Meet and Greet the Press (1:30PM to 3:30PM)
• Praise, Worship and Thanksgiving Concert at Emancipation Park (5:30PM to 8:30PM)

Monday, 17 December 2018 

• Courtesy Calls on leaders
• Her Excellency Lady Allen (9:00AM)
• His Worship the Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Delroy Williams (11:00AM)
• Dr. Peter Phillips, Leader of the Opposition (1:00PM)
• Visit to the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation
• Reception hosted by the Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness

Tuesday, 18 December 2018 

• Excursion to North Coast

Wednesday, 19 December 2018

• members of team depart Jamaica 

END

Kingston, December 13 - The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, today told Lydia Heywood, the English-born Eventing rider who plans to represent Jamaica at the next Olympics: “You can expect assistance from the Ministry as you make your preparations to represent us.” 

The 21-year-old Heywood, who was first taken to Jamaica as a baby is on what is now her second visit. She met with Miss Grange at the Minister’s New Kingston offices today. 

The Sport Minister assured Heywood that she would be making a number of approaches which should result in significant resources for her programme of preparation between now and 2020 when the Olympics will take place in Japan. 

“We are thrilled that you have decided to represent Jamaica and we could do no less than to assist you to achieve your goals”, Miss Grange told Heywood.

Heywood, whose father hails from Clarendon, is accompanied on her visit by her mother Clare, who is English. 

She said: “I started at 10 on my Eventing journey when I joined a pony club in Gloucestershire where we live and I have trained hard through the years to perfect each stage of Eventing which are dressage, show jumping and cross country. 

“I know my drive for success will get me to my goal of winning Jamaica’s first Olympic equestrian medal.” 

Minister Grange said, she wanted Heywood, who returns to England next Monday, to visit Jamaica soon again, “as we wish to put you out there to the Jamaican public.” 

Eventing is an equestrian event where a single horse and rider combination compete against other combinations across the three disciplines of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. 

Kingston 13 December 2018 – The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced the route for the Motorcade in honour of the Reggae Girlz.

The motorcade will take place on Saturday, 15 December 2018 at the start of four days of celebration announced by the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, for the Reggae Girlz’ historic qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

Minister Grange has invited “all Jamaicans to join us in celebrating with them.”

Motorcade for Reggae Girlz

Civic Ceremony in Sam Sharpe Square – 9:30AM – 11AM

• Delegation departs Montego Bay at 11:30AM

Meet and Greet at GC Foster College – 2:30PM – 3:30PM
Exit GC Foster College and then right onto Brunswick Avenue
Keep on Brunswick Ave then right onto Young Street
Left onto Burke Road and onwards to Mandela Highway through Twickenham Park and Central Village
Through Six Miles and onwards to Washington Boulevard/Dunrobin Avenue
Right onto Constant Spring Road going through Half Way Tree Square

Stop in Half Way Tree Square – 15 Minutes
Onwards to Half Way Tree Road going through Cross Roads
Onwards to Slipe Road
Right at Torrington Bridge and across to Slipe Pen Road
Left onto Rosseau Road
Left onto Beachwood Avenue and onwards to the Tony Spaulding Complex

HYPE ZONE in Arnett Gardens (Car Park of Tony Spaulding Complex) - 6:00PM – 7:30PM

The UPDATED schedule of activities:

Friday, 14 December 2018

• overseas-based members of team arrive

Saturday, 15 December 2018

• Civic Ceremony in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay (9:30AM to 10:30AM)
• Moorcade across St Catherine, Kingston and St Andrew

Sunday, 16 December 2018

• Meet and Greet the Press (1:30PM to 3:30PM)
• Praise, Worship and Thanksgiving Concert at Emancipation Park (5:30PM to 8:30PM)

Monday, 17 December 2018

• Courtesy Calls on leaders
• Her Excellency Lady Allen (9:00AM)
• His Worship the Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Delroy Williams (11:00AM)
• Dr. Peter Phillips, Leader of the Opposition (1:00PM)
• Visit to the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation
• Reception hosted by the Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness

Tuesday, 18 December 2018

• Excursion to North Coast

Wednesday, 19 December 2018

• Members of team depart Jamaica

Kingston, December 11 – Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) 2018 schoolboy football champions, Clarendon College was lauded in Parliament today. 

Clarendon College was invited to Gordon House by the Speaker of House, the Honourable Pearnel Charles as a show of appreciation for their winning performances. 

Congratulatory statements came from several Members, including the Prime Minister the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, who praised the school for doing extremely well both academically and in sports over the years. 

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport said: “They are totally deserving of us honouring them by the invitation to be our special guests in the House today. 

“It was a wonderful display of football which yielded for them not just the DaCosta Cup but the Olivier Shield and in winning the DaCosta Cup Competition this year, they did the unusual by maintaining a perfect record of wins. This by itself would be worthy of praise.” 

The Sport Minister said it could be fully understood that Clarendon College would devote this year’s titles to the late great football coach, Winston Chung Fah, who coached the school to an all-conquering side in 1977. 

“We are extremely pleased today to have representatives of Clarendon College making an appearance in the Parliament as the country recognises the school as the football supremos for 2018."

Kingston 10 December 2018 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced the schedule of activities to honour the Reggae Girlz’ historic qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

“I want them to feel very special,” said Minister Grange.

The activities begin on Saturday (December 15) with a motorcade.

Minister Grange said:
“The motorcade will go through the Corporate Area. It will go into St Catherine. One of the stops will be GC Foster (College of Physical Education and Sport). Two of the girls are from Arnett Gardens, so we’re going to do something there. And we want to take them to western Jamaica.”

Minister Grange said it was “important that the girls are given a hero’s welcome and shown appreciation for their outstanding achievement” of qualifying for the World Cup Finals to be held in France in 2019.

“We want to ensure that as many Jamaicans see them and we’re asking all Jamaicans to join us in celebrating with them. We want to make sure that they go to France ready to tek it to dem”.

The celebratory activities include a major praise, worship and thanksgiving concert at Emancipation Park on Sunday (December 16) featuring some of the biggest names in local gospel music including Kevin Downswell, Kukudoo, Sista Pat and Wayne Marshall.

The Reggae Girlz will also be feted at a special reception hosted by Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness.

The full schedule follows:

Friday 14 December 2018

• Overseas-based members of team arrive 

Saturday 15 December 2018

• Motorcade across Montego Bay, St Catherine, Kingston and St Andrew 

Sunday 16 December 2018

• Praise, Worship and Thanksgiving Concert at Emancipation Park (5pm to 8pm) 

Monday 17 December 2018

• Courtesy Calls on leaders (schedule to be confirmed)
• Reception hosted by the Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness

Tuesday 18 December 2018

• Fun day (North Coast) 

Wednesday 19 December 2018

• Members of team depart Jamaica

Kingston 8 December 2018 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has congratulated Gaynstead on becoming the national schools netball champions at both the senior and junior levels for the first time in their history.

Gaynstead, the urban champions, defeated the rural schools champions, Denbigh, in both divisions of the ISSA All-Island Netball finals at the Leila Robinson Courts on Friday (June 7).

The junior team scored a close 24-21 win to secure their second All-Island title; and the senior team won 35-26 for their first All-Island title.

Minister Grange said she was “proud of both Gaynstead and Denbigh for a dominant season in schools netball, but I must commend Gaynstead on their history making season that has culminated with them being national champions in both the senior and junior divisions. It shows what our young athletes in all sports can do with continuous support from all quarters. Well done, ladies.”

END

Kingston, 7 December 2018 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has likened West Indies cricket to an element of cultural heritage that is in danger and in need of protection. 

Minister Grange made the comment at the St Catherine Cricket Association Awards Ceremony where she expressed satisfaction that the local cricket programme “was at a good place”.  But the Minister said she was concern about regional cricket following a string of poor performances by the West Indies team, including the recent poor performance against Bangladesh. 

“Let me say, straight up, that I am a lifelong supporter of West Indies cricket.  I cannot think of a reason to ever withdraw my support from the West Indies.  The Windies represent us.  They are a part of who we are.  They are a part of me. So you know exactly how I feel when I saw the recent results against Bangladesh.” 

Bangladesh completed a series sweep against the West Indies in the recent two test series — each time defeating the Windies within three days. 

“West Indies cricket, the men’s game, is into a time of intense difficulty and a proud part of our heritage — our cricket — is in danger.  And it needs protection,” said Minister Grange. 

She drew a contrast between the performance of the men’s team and the women’s team.  West Indies women were a force to be reckoned with in the recent T-20 World Cup where they went to the semifinals before falling to the eventual champions Australia. 

“Why do the women look so good — even without adequate support?  And why aren’t the men doing better? Is it leadership?  Is it talent?  Is it commitment?” Minister Grange questioned. 

Minister Grange said it was now urgent for all stakeholders in West Indies cricket to come together to protect the people’s game. 

Minister Grange said: “It is time to forget the egos, to get over ourselves and to focus on fixing and bringing back West Indies cricket.  There is enough blame to go around.  Let us end the blame game and show our commitment to eliminating the problems that prevent West Indies men from consistently producing good results. We must all remember, that for our people, cricket is not just a game.  It is part of our heritage.  It is part of who we are."

Kingston, 7 December 2018 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced that the Jamaica Cricket Association will be among the first set of national sports associations to roll-out a national programme for safeguarding and protecting children in sports.

Minister Grange made the announcement at the St Catherine Cricket Association Awards Function in Twickenham Park on Thursday (December 6).

The national programme for safeguarding and protecting children in sport is being coordinated by the Inter-Ministerial Task Force established by Minister Grange earlier this year, among other things, see to it that “children in sport are not harmed in any way; and that fit and proper people are involved in all areas of children’s sport.”

Minister Grange said the Task Force has been considering several initiatives to safeguard and protect children in sport including mechanisms being implemented through the Jamaica Cricket Association in collaboration with UNICEF and Cricket West Indies.

“Based on the assessment of those initiatives and following discussions, I am pleased to announce that the Jamaica Cricket Association has agreed to be part of the first set of national sport associations to roll-out a national programme for safeguarding and protecting children in sports,” said Minister Grange.

The Task Forces comprises several stakeholders including the Child Protection and Family Services Agency, the National Parent Teachers’ Association, the various schools' sports associations, local sports governing bodies, as well as government ministries and agencies.

Kingston, December 5, 2018 - The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has said, “Denbigh High School in Clarendon in a splendid display made it a “Double Double” in high school netball when they too won both the Junior and Senior Titles.”

Minister Grange, in congratulating Denbigh High after they beat Holmwood Technical High School in both finals said, “It was hardly expected that the same school would win both senior and junior titles in the urban and rural areas as happened. This is historic and should long be treasured.

“Denbigh can also feel pleased that the win in both categories guarantees that they will be one of the two high schools from Jamaica to play in the next regional AFNA Champion of Champions High School Netball Tournament.”

The Sport Minister also congratulated Holmwood Technical for reaching the finals at both levels of the Competition.

Kingston, December 5, 2018 – The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport says Gaynstead High School in taking both the Senior and Junior titles in the ISSA Urban Area Netball Competition, “was simply magnificent.”

Minister Grange’s comment follows the Finals of the Competition which took place at the Leila Robinson Courts at the National Stadium yesterday (December 4) and which saw Gaynstead Senior Team beating St. Catherine High School and the Junior Team topping Norman Manley High School.

“My feeling is one of ecstasy but this accomplishment by Gaynstead has been coming given the way their netball teams have been performing in recent years and I would like to think that their play has been aided even further by the netball court that we provided the school in 2017 through the Sports Development Foundation.”

Miss Grange, also a past head girl, said she was looking forward to Gaynstead representing Jamaica in the second staging of the regional AFNA Champion of Champions High School Netball Tournament as result of being crowned Jamaica’s urban area “school girl netball queens”.

“While I am still cheering for my alma mater, I wish also to commend St. Catherine High School and Norman Manley High School for their competitive play in the Finals and I say well done to all the schools and coaches.

Port Louis, Republic of Mauritius December 2, 2018 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has congratulated Clarendon College on winning the DaCosta Cup.

Clarendon Colleague won the title by defeating Cornwall College 2-1 in the final at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Saturday.

Minister Grange said:

“I am delighted to send congratulations to Clarendon College for their victory in the DaCosta Cup final.  I also commend the Cornwall College team for a very exciting match and a good season.  We’ve seen a high standard of play during this school boy football season and that’s a very good sign for Jamaica’s football.”

It was Clarendon College’s eighth DaCosta Cup title.

END

Port Louis, Republic of Mauritius December 1, 2018 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has congratulated Kingston College on winning the Manning Cup.

Kingston College prevailed 3-2 over St George’s College in the corporate area schools football final yesterday at the National Stadium.

Minister Grange said “it was a very entertaining match, it was of a high standard, and will be remembered for a very long time. All the young players on both teams deserve our praise, but special commendation to the Kingston College team on this historic victory.”

It was Kingston College’s first Manning Cup title in more than 30 years.

END

Kingston, 18 November 2018 - The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport is full of praises for Jamaica’s Rugby team for “creating history twice within a matter of months.”

Minister Grange was commenting on historic victory of the Jamaica Reggae Warriors over the USA Hawks yesterday (Saturday, November 17) to qualify for the Rugby League World Cup.

“The Reggae Warriors have demonstrated once again the admirable skills and determination that resulted in them being crowned the 2017 Men’s Rugby Americas North Sevens champions.

“These have been such wonderful displays by Jamaica in a sport in which we have not been traditionally strong. With the Warriors bringing down the Hawks, Jamaica has been put squarely in line for The Rugby League World Cup which we know will be competed for in England in 2021.

“Not just the players but the coach, the manager and all others around the team deserve our highest regard and as the Minister of Sport it is my great pleasure to convey those sentiments to them as we laud the magnificent performance that has once again created history for Jamaica in the sport of rugby.  

END

Kingston, November 19, 2018 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced the appointment of members of the Board of Directors of Independence Park Limited, Institute of Sports Limited and Sports Development Foundation. 

The appointments are for a period of two years with effect from 12 November 2018. 

Independence Park Limited

The new Board is chaired by the Honourable Michael Fennell, OJ, CD.  Mr David Shirley is Vice Chairman.  The other members are:

• Mrs Annmarie Heron
• Major Desmon Brown
• Assistant Commission of Police Terrence Bent
• Lieutenant Colonel Roderick Rowe
• Mr Lenford Salmon
• Mr Carlton Dennis
• Mr Edward Barnes
• Dr Peter Charles
• Ms Audrey Chin

 Institute of Sports

The new Board is chaired by Mr Newton Amos.  Assistant Commissioner of Police Ronald Anderson is Deputy Chairman.  The other members are:

• Mr Gladstone Wright
• Mr Emile Spence
• Mr Viswanaught Tolan
• Mrs Florette Blackwood
• Mr Ryan Foster
• Mrs Daphne Hurge
• Dr Michelle Holt
• Dr Lee Martin
• Mrs Marvalyn Campbell
• Mr Allan Beckford
• Mr Renardo Smith  

Sports Development Foundation

The new Board is chaired by Mr George Soutar.  Mr Lloyd Pommells is Deputy Chairman.  The other members are:

• Mr David Shirley
• Mr Ian Forbes
• Honourable Molly Rhone, OJ, CD
• Dr Donovan Bennett
• Mr Christopher Stokes
• Mrs Annmarie Heron
• Mr Newton Amos
• Mr Compton Rodney 

Minister Grange says she’s confident that the new Boards will advance the government’s mandate to develop sport from the grassroots to the high performance level.

Kingston, November 9, 2018 –The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced increased and equal prize money for the winners in this year’s Institute of Sports Primary School Football and Netball Competitions. 

"We have increased your prize money in a significant way,” Minister Grange said at the launch of the competitions today at the National Indoor Sports Centre.

“Last year, in football the champion team received a $150,000; this year the champion will receive $200,000 and to maintain gender equality we have moved the netball prize from $100,000 last year to $200,000 also,” Minister Grange said. 

She said that equalling the prize money fits directly into the work of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport to promote and reinforce gender equality in society. 

Minister Grange also announced an increase in prizes for runners-up, third and fourth places, parish champions and the most disciplined player. 

According to the Minister, the Institute of Sports, an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport had to “step up” its prizes due to the increase in participants. The number of schools participating in the football and netball competitions moved from 136 to 390 and 50 to 195 respectively. 

Minister Grange said also that 60 coaches will be certified based on the performance of their team in both the netball and football competitions. This is an increase from last year at which time only 16 football coaches were certified through the CONCACAF D License Coaching Course while no netball coaches were certified in the programme. 

During the training, the coaches will have to attend a Child Care and Protection Seminar which is in keeping with Ministry’s programme for safeguarding children in sports.

END

Kingston, 8 November 2018 -

“He was undoubtedly among the best football coaches to have emerged from Jamaica but he was more than that to football in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Florida in the United States.” 

The words of the Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport upon her learning today of the death of Winston Chung Fah, who was lovingly referred to in football circles and beyond as “Chungie”. 

“Chungie leaves behind a glittering list of accomplishments in the sport of football. So much so that football’s world governing body, FIFA honoured him with its award of Order of Merit. 

“Chungie was one of the founders of the early football clubs in Jamaica, the famous Santos, FC but he was also one of the major contributors to the development of schoolboy football in Jamaica. Who can forget the all-conquering DaCosta Cup team of Clarendon College of 1977, coached by Winston Chung Fah? There is no doubt the Clarendon team, which included players such as present-day top coach Lenworth Hyde, numbers among the best ever schoolboy teams in Jamaica. 

The Sport Minister said that Chungie paid his dues to the National Team with his stint as Technical Director and then went to assist football in the Cayman Islands and in the state of Florida in the United States. 

“For me, he was an affable man who seemingly loved laughter as much as he did football. He will be sorely missed and as I express my sympathy on behalf of the nation to his wife Barbara and children, Sharon, Michelle and Tisha; I pray that his soul will find eternal peace. 

“Your contributions, Chungie, made you a giant in the sport of football inside and outside of Jamaica.”

END

Kingston, 1 November 2018 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has released the following statement on the passing of the former Jamaican boxer, Bunny Grant. 

Minister’s Statement: 

“I have just received news of the passing of Bunny Grant, the Jamaican boxing pioneer.  Long before Lennox Lewis, before Mike McCallum, before Shrimpy Clarke, there was Bunny Grant.   

We will forever remember his victory over Dave Charnley, the Commonwealth Lightweight Champion, at the National Stadium on August 4, 1962 — just two days before Jamaica’s Independence Day.  The happy impact of that victory on the entire country is a feeling I can never forget. 

Bunny’s passion and humility endeared him to all.  We all followed and celebrated with him throughout his 19 year career.  Each of his victories was a victory for the Jamaican people. 

I am always proud to speak about Bunny Grant, and I was honoured as the Minister to ensure that he was able to spend his final days in comfort. 

We have lost a great champion. 

I offer condolences to his family and friends.” 

In October 2017, Minister Grange presented the former Jamaica boxing champion George ‘Bunny’ Grant with the keys to his newly refurbished home.  The refurbishing project was undertaken by the Sports Development Foundation as part of the Jamaica 55 celebrations.

END

Kingston, 29 October 2018 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has congratulated the Sunshine Girls who went down by one point to New Zealand in the Fast5 Netball World Series gold medal match in Melbourne, Australia on the weekend.

New Zealand managed to hold off a late surge by the Sunshine Girls to win 34-33.

Minister Grange congratulated the Sunshine Girls for “a very successful tournament in which they demonstrated the strength of Jamaica’s netball and represented our country well.”

Earlier in the tournament, Jamaica defeated New Zealand by a single point (23-22).

It’s the second successive year that the Sunshine Girls are taking home the silver medal from the Fast5 World Series.  They went down to England in last year’s final.

“I know the Sunshine Girls prepared very hard for this tournament and I know they really wanted to take home the gold medal this year.  But we can all be proud that they gave their best and will continue to give their all while representing our country.  We must give them our full support.  I offer congratulations to all the girls as well as the coaching and support teams of Netball Jamaica,” said Minister Grange.

-END-

Kingston, 23 October 2018 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, says the way is now clear for the replacement of the Stadium East running track to begin.

Minister Grange has announced that "Cabinet has approved a contract for J$71.5 million to the German firm, BSW GmbH, to begin the urgent replacement of the synthetic running track."

BSW, one of the world's leading suppliers of synthetic surfaces, successfully replaced the main running track at the National Stadium in 2011.  Since then the company has installed running tracks at several facilities across Jamaica.

According to Minister Grange, the Stadium East track "has the distinction of being the training surface for more Olympic and World Championship Track and Field medallists than any other running track in the world, but it is now in need of urgent repair in order to avert the danger of our athletes suffering career-ending injuries."

Minister Grange wants the work to begin and completed as soon as possible without significantly affecting the local track and field season.

It is estimated that the replacement work will take 14 weeks.

-END-

Kingston, October 23 – Keeping true to a commitment she gave on October 12, the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has presented Jamaican footballer, Luton Shelton with a cheque for J$5million from the Sports Development Foundation towards his medical care.

Shelton was diagnosed with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. 

The presentation was made during the RSPL Monday night game on October 22 at the Harbour View Stadium.

-END-

Kingston, October 22 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, says her Ministry is “breathing new life into the government’s grass roots sports development programme.” 

The Minister’s comments were made following the finals of the INSPORTS All-Island Community Football and Netball Competitions at Independence Park Complex on Sunday.

Chedda Empire defeated Content of St Mary, 6-2 in the football competition while L&Y Oracabessa defeated Frazer’s of St Catherine, 32-26 in the netball competition.

“Congrats to all the teams and communities that participated in this year’s competition. Special congratulations to the winners Chedda Empire of St Catherine and L&Y Oracabessa of St Mary. I look forward to next year when we will continue to unearth, expose and develop talent,”

Minister Grange said.

Minister Grange thanked all the communities who participated in the competition and encouraged other Member of Parliaments, Councillors and Community leaders to “come on board” for the next staging, which she said will be bigger and better.

“Our goal is to develop sports from the grass roots to the high performance level, Minister Grange said.

Both winning teams received a prize money of five hundred thousand dollars, while second, third and fourth place teams received $250,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively.

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has said that Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce stands tall among those Jamaicans who by sheer talent, unbridled energy, tenacity and persistence have indeed brought glory to our country and astonished the world.

Minister Grange, who was speaking at the unveiling of the Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce Statute at the National Stadium on Sunday 14^th October, said, “she brings to focus to what has been achieved in national output by women of substance, women who were never daunted by the circumstances of their beginnings, but who understood that through faith in God and self they could outdo themselves and shine.” 

Miss Grange said of Shelly Ann, who is regarded by some as the greatest female sprinter of all times, that her story “is one of the many narratives of the Jamaican woman who remained steadfast in the belief in her inherent abilities. She is among the great Jamaican women who were born in lowly circumstances, but who set out to play their part on the great human stage of activity where stars are created and acclaimed.  

“In doing so, Shelly Ann has become a model for girls and young women from similar circumstances across Jamaica.  She is one of the modern-day heroes whose accomplishments are an inspiration for the entire nation.” 

The Sport Minister expressed the gratitude of the Ministry and the nation to Mr. Basil Watson, sculptor, for the work he has continued to do in ensuring that the nation’s heroes are suitably saluted and remembered. 

“We also use the opportunity to salute the managers and administrators of the nation’s sports who have, by their determination, vision and conviction, succeeded in providing the support needed for Shelly Ann and all our athletes to excel as they have done.  Among these, allow me to mention the Jamaica Olympics Association, the Institute of Sports, the Sports Development Foundation, and, last but by no means least, the indefatigable, internationally acclaimed MVP Track and Field Club. 

“Finally, the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport is pleased to have led the charge in paying homage and due respect to our outstanding elite athletes.  Yesterday, it was Hon. Usain Bolt.  Today it is Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce.  Tomorrow it will be Asafa Powell and Veronica Campbell Brown. 

‘May those, especially our children, who pass by, look up and be inspired by the exciting heritage garnered for us by our beloved Pocket Rocket, Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce,”
Minister Grange concluded.

Kingston, 17 October 2018 –The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange has hailed the “historic achievement” of Jamaica’s team which qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup this evening after defeating Panama on penalty kicks in Texas. 

Minister noted that “the Reggae Girls have become the first Caribbean team to qualify for the Women’s World Cup, an achievement that is well deserved and comes after overcoming several challenges and working very hard.”

Jamaica defeated Panama in a penalty-kick shootout in the third-place match of the 2018 CONCACAF Women's Championship.

The Reggae Girlz won the tie-breaker 4-2.

Minister Grange said: 

“This is a glorious day. Words cannot truly describe this historic achievement by this group of young ladies, who through sheer grit and determination in a game in which both teams went all out for victory, came out victorious. Dallas, USA may be miles away, but at my office, we followed every kick, every tackle, every goal until that final penalty kick landed in the back of the goal. 

“It was a total team effort. But special commendation to the goal scorers Khadija Shaw and 16 year old Jody Brown.

"The Reggae Girls have represented Jamaica well and we look forward to welcoming them home and to their performance in France in 2019.”

Minister Grange also congratulated the JFF as well as the coaching and support staff.

-END-

Kingston- October 16 - The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has said, “It is nothing short of an excellent performance when the Sunshine Girls can make it a clean sweep in back-to-back netball series.” 

Minister Grange’s comment came as she congratulated the Sunshine Girls for winning the just-concluded series against England and against Trinidad and Tobago without losing a match. 

“This performance certainly will boost the confidence of the Sunshine Girls going into the Fast Five Tournament in Australia later this month and the Netball World Cup next year and we look forward to the winner’s trophy from one of if not the two tournaments.” 

The Sport Minister said the coach and support staff of the Sunshine Girls should be commended for their role in “this fine showing by the Sunshine Girls.”

-END-

Paris, 12 October 2018 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has committed J$5million towards the medical care of Jamaican footballer Luton Shelton.

Minister Statement follows:

"I've been made aware of Luton's illness through social media (no one has been directly in touch with me).  Based on what I've seen, I am concerned and I am committing five million dollars towards his medical expenses.  

I will ask the officers in the Ministry to reach out to his family so I can get further details." 

It's been reported that Shelton was diagnosed with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.

Paris, 6 October 2018 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has congratulated Jamaica's Alia Atkinson who set a world record in the women's 50m Breaststroke at the FINA Swimming World Cup in Hungary today (Saturday).

Atkinson sped to victory in 28.56 seconds to better the old world record of 28.64 which she had established in 2016.

Minister Grange described Atkinson as a "phenomenal athlete who continues to do extraordinary things."

According to Minister Grange: 

"This is an extraordinary achievement for Alia.  I know she felt personal disappointment with her performance at the Commonwealth Games, but we were proud of her silver medal.  But now here she is five months later breaking her world record.  It goes to show, we must never give up.  Alia continues to be an inspiration for us all and we are all very proud of this latest achievement."

-END-

Kingston, October 3 – The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, through the Sport Development Foundation has contributed Two Million Dollars to Netball Jamaica towards the staging of the Sunshine Series which begins at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Sunday, October 7.

Minister Grange made the cheque presentation at a breakfast she hosted for Netball Jamaica and Sponsor representatives today (Wednesday). 

“I regret that because of duties overseas I will miss most of the Series but I do hope to attend one or two of the matches on my return to Jamaica. But I am leaving with Netball Jamaica a nice little gift as I depart – Two Million Dollars - provided by the Sports Development Foundation,” the Sport Minister said.

The Minister said also, “The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has underwritten the cost for the entertainment package for the Half Time Shows at all of the matches.”

Minister Grange wished Netball Jamaica a successful Series and thanked the sponsors.

“All of Jamaica is proud of the Sunshine Girls who are showing more and more class by their recent performances and more and more we are convinced that world championship for them is just a few passes away,”

Minister Grange said.

The Series will see the Sunshine Girls playing against the English Roses and Trinidad and Tobago’s Calypso Girls.

Minister Grange left the island today for Paris where she will attend the 205th Session of the UNESCO Executive Board.

-END-

Kingston, September 25 – The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, says the Government is taking the business of providing proper infrastructure for sports development very seriously. 

The Minister was speaking at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the installation of an artificial turf at the football field at the UWI-JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence at the University of the West Indies on Tuesday. 

“We have put plans in place to improve and maintain our sport infrastructure in a major way. A submission to resurface and upgrade the Stadium East facilities is now at Cabinet for sign off. We have just completed the procurement process and have selected a consultant who will prepare the business plan for the National Stadium,” Minister Grange said. 

Minister Grange said that she was instructed by the Prime Minister to fast-track the redevelopment of the National Stadium and as such work will begin very soon in Stadium East and is to be completed before the start of the track season next year. 

“For the National Stadium, we are now going to be moving quickly into the design stage. Once it’s complete most of the stadium will be covered and we will have good anti-doping facilities, proper dressing rooms, gym and all the other equipment that you will find in a first world facility,”

Miss Grange said.

She also said that the Ministry is in discussion with partners for the redevelopment of Chedwin Park, Drax Hall and Prison Oval. 

“We are into a very exciting time for sports development.  Let us all work together to take sports in Jamaica to greater heights with opportunities for all,” the Minister said.

-END-

Kingston, September 24 –  The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport has said the passing of the former Executive Chairman of FLOW Foundation and a Board Member of the Institute of Sports (INSPORTS), Mr. Errol Miller leaves her feeling deeply saddened. 

Minister Grange said, “When I heard today of Errol’s death I was overcome by a sense of great loss as he was someone who I admired very much and someone who contributed a lot in his professional life and as a volunteer.” 

She said Mr. Miller had served on the INSPORTS Board with distinction, “Ready in his quiet way to give advice which was always helpful to the organization.” 

“I was not expecting that Errol would leave us at this time and he will surely be missed by many. To his wife and the rest of his family, relatives, friends, and associates as well as to the FLOW Foundation, the Chairman and Board of INSPORTS, I express my sincere condolences.

May his soul rest in peace.”

-END-

Kingston, September 14 - The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport announced today that the for the first time in the history of the INSPORTS Community Football and Netball Competitions, the winning netball team will get the same prize money of $500,000 as the winning football team. 

The announcement came as the Sport Minister launched the final round of the competitions at the National Stadium.

After saying that the time to make the prize money equal between netball and football in the INSPORTS Community competition, Miss Grange said that the prizes for second, third and fourth places would also be adjusted but she would announce those later. 

“The importance of grass roots sports, which is what the INSPORTS community netball and football competition is, cannot be over-emphasised.  It is sports for peace uniting communities regardless of political persuasion. 

“This is why I have invited Members of Parliament, Councillors and community leaders to encourage the INSPORTS netball and football teams in their constituencies, divisions and communities,” Miss Grange concluded.

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, is assisted by President, Jamaica Football Federation, Michael Ricketts to conduct the official draw for the Final Round of the INSPORTS Football and Netball Community Competitions. The drawing took place at the National Stadium on Friday.

-END-

Kingston, September 12 – The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, today signed agreements with Sculptor, Basil Watson to commence work on the statues of Veronica Campbell-Brown and Asafa Powell. 

The renowned Jamaican sculptor was commissioned to design and create statues of four of Jamaica’s outstanding sports stars, Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce, Veronica Campbell Brown and Asafa Powell as part of the Jamaica 55 Legacy programme. 

“We have delivered on Usain Bolt, we are about to unveil Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce’s statue next month on October 14 and today I am proud to say we have signed the agreement with Sculptor Basil Watson who was commissioned to do all four statues. We have signed the agreements for the commencement of the work on Veronica Campbell-Brown’s statue and Asafa Powell’s. 

The maquettes for those statues will be ready later this year so we can have a special unveiling of the maquettes to the media and then early next year those statues will be mounted and unveiled in Statue Park” Minister Grange said. 

The Minister said also that it is important to recognise Jamaicans for their tremendous work and also essential to establish monuments to honour them for the benefit of generations to come. 

The Usain Bolt Statue was erected in December 2017.

-END-

Kingston, September 7 – The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport yesterday pledged a scholarship worth 50-thousand dollars for a student at Gaynstead High School as well as promised to have lights and a stand installed at the newly built netball court at the school.

Speaking at a ceremony at Gaynstead High held to mark the start of the new school year, Miss Grange, a past head girl of the school, said, “The scholarship will be for a student excelling in sport and of course doing well academically also.”

With regards to the netball court, the Sport Minister said, “When I spoke at the Graduation ceremony at Gaynstead in 2016, I promised the school a netball court and here it is. Now I am committing to see that lights are installed at the court and a stand be built as well. These things will be done.”

“Also I am going to get an architect and an engineer to carry out an examination of the school plant as start of the process to restore the school building which is in need of repairs and expansion.”

Miss Grange, who cut the ribbon symbolically opening the netball court for play, said how pleased she was with the progress that Gaynstead continues to make in the sport of netball, “which as you know is the leading team sport, not just in Jamaica but in the entire English-speaking Caribbean.”

She congratulated two of the students, Latanya Wilson and Kelsey Jonas, who have represented Jamaica teams, the Under-16 and the Sunshine Girls.

“Even more pleasing is that Gaynstead is also doing very well academically. Let us congratulate and applaud the Board of Directors, Principal, Dr. Boyd-Vassell, her hardworking staff and of course the students whose work has consistently made the school proud.”

“I am calling on all my colleague past students to come forward for our alma mater. Let us give back more than we have ever done before for the continued development of our school, which has emphatically demonstrated that it is fully deserving of our support,”

Miss Grange concluded.

-END-

Kingston, 3 September 2018 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has congratulated the National Women's Football Team, the Reggae Girls, who've qualified for the CONCACAF Women's Championship after "really impressive victories" in the final round of qualification in Kingston.

Jamaica defeated Cuba 6-1 on Sunday in their final match of the qualification stage at the National Stadium thanks to goals from Chinyelu Asher (2), Khadija Shaw (2), Lauren Silver and Jody Brown.

Jamaica had earlier scored a 4-1 win over Trinidad and Tobago, defeated Bermuda 4-0, and slammed Antigua and Barbuda 9-0.

Minister Grange said:

"The Reggae Girls have done an exceptional job in qualifying for the women's Gold Cup.  They won every match in this round with really impressive victories.  I congratulate them on a job well done and I wish them well as they continue preparation for the championship.  I encourage all of Jamaica to get behind them and give them all the support as they continue to represent our nation well."

Minister Grange also extended congratulations to the leadership of the JFF as well as the coaching and support teams.

-END-

Beijing, China, 31 August 2018 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has described the sports cooperation agreement which she signed in the Chinese capital today (Friday) as "historic and extremely beneficial".

Minister Grange and the General Manager of China Sport International Company (the state-owned sports cooperation agency) Mr Lu Guoguang officially signed the agreement which will see more than 400 Jamaican athletes travelling to China for training over the next three years.

Minister Grange said it was the first time that so many Jamaican athletes would benefit directly from a bilateral sports cooperation agreement.

"Our athletes have natural abilities but need assistance and the Government of Jamaica can only do so much, and so we sincerely thank you for the current project and we believe that the benefits are of tremendous value to our athletes," said the Minister.

Although the signing of the document took place only today, implementation of the programme began in January of this year when a contingent of Chinese coaches and administrators arrived in Jamaica to assess certain national teams, collaborate with local coaches and administrators, and prepare for the first batch of 138 Jamaican athletes and coaches to arrive in China.

The first batch — representing seven disciplines: Synchronised Swimming, Gymnastics, Swimming, Badminton, Women's Volleyball, Women's Football and Women's Basketball — is currently completing 60 days of intense training at specialised facilities across China.

Mr Lu (speaking through an interpreter) said the Jamaican athletes made tremendous strides during training:

"In the two months we have made great improvement.  The first (main) improvement is the record of your athletes and in the two months together, the athletes from Jamaica and China live, eat and train together and have built a great relationship between each other."

Ahead of signing the agreement in Beijing, Minister Grange travelled to some of the training centres in the cities of the Changsha and Kunming to observe the facilities, receive progress reports on the athletes from their Jamaican coaches and Chinese trainers, and to hear from the athletes their impression of the programme.  They all reported that the first year of the programme has been a success.

Minister Grange said:

"I'm happy to see first hand the vast improvement in the skill level of our athletes and to tour the facilities.  Our athletes have now been exposed to world class training facilities and to world class coaching and we will make sure that your investment is not wasted. We want to ensure that the infrastructure is in place for them to do well when they return to Jamaica and so we want to look at the development of our national stadium, for example."

Under the agreement, the Chinese government will also donate equipment to the seven sporting disciplines.  The equipment is to arrive in Jamaica this year.

Next year (and the following year) — as happened this year — Chinese coaches will come to Jamaica to work with their Jamaican counterparts and assess national players ahead of another two month high level training programme in China.

Mr Lu wants to intensify the programme.  "Hopefully, we will make much greater improvement in the performance of the athletes next year," he said.

Minister Grange's aim is that both countries will be able to begin to see the benefits of this collaboration through improved performances of Jamaican teams in the seven disciplines at the Pan American Games next year and at the Olympics in 2020.

However, the Minister's aim is for longer term collaboration in which Jamaica will also assist Chinese athletes. 

 "Our relationship will be one of mutual benefit; we will assist in training your athletes to be fast runners and you will help us to make our athletes in the various other disciplines better at their sport,"

said Minister Grange.

-END-

Kingston, August 31 – The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has said that Fedrick Dacres winning of the 2018 Diamond League Trophy for discuss, “highlights the progress that Jamaica’s field athletics has made in international track and field competition.” 

“Not only has Dacres performed well throughout his career, he has been having a wonderful season in 2018 and it was predictable that he would score big time. Today, when he won the first ever Diamond League Trophy for a field event by a Jamaican, he did just that.” 

“In winning the Diamond League trophy, Dacres is also showing other field athletes what is possible with hard work and dedication and that Jamaica is capable of being much more than ‘The Sprint Factory’. 

The Sport Minister said that Government would be moving to improve the physical infrastructure to support and advance field events. 

Miss Grange praised the other athletes who participated in the Diamond League meet saying that,

“All we require of you is that you put your best foot forward for yourself and your country, whenever you take to the field or the track.”

END

Kingston, August 27 – The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has said that she is not surprised by the election of former Netball Jamaica President, Marva Bernard, to the presidency of the Americas Federation of Netball Associations (AFNA). 

“Marva has proven her worth in the administration of the sport of netball which has earned her respect locally and internationally,” Minister Grange said in congratulating Mrs Bernard who until her election as President was the Treasurer of AFNA. 

I have no doubt that as AFNA President she will do all that she can to further advance the Region’s netball. Already she has shown that inclination with the recent successful staging of the inaugural netball competition among Caribbean high schools.

-END-

Kingston, August 15 – The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, has encouraged players “to be disciplined and focused” in competition at the upcoming Caribbean Regional Table Tennis Federation Mini and Pre-Cadet Championship to be held from September 25-31 in the Dominican Republic.

 “With that approach I have no doubt you will return with medals,” the Sport Minister said.

 Minister Grange was addressing the players during a visit to one of their practice sessions on Tuesday, August 14 at the Jamaica Theological Seminary in Kingston. Through the intervention of the Minister, Table Tennis Jamaica has received additional funding from the Sport Development Foundation towards the tournament.

 “It will help to make the planning and the trip a little better,” the Sport Minister said.

 A total of 16 players will depart the island for the championship.

-END-

Kingston, August 13 – “Another exceptional performance by Jamaican athletes.” That is the comment from the Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport in congratulating the Jamaica team to the North American Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Senior Championships in Canada.

Minister Grange said, “Frederick Dacres and Shanieka Ricketts were particularly brilliant in setting championship records in the men’s discuss and the women’s triple jump, which also saw Ricketts defending her title.”

Miss Grange said Jamaica could also feel pleased with the “discuss bonus” that came with Traves Smikle taking second place behind Dacres.

“And we have even more to cheer about since overall, Jamaica enjoyed its best performance so far at this NACAC championships, coming away with 21 medals, seven gold, nine silver and five bronze.

“Congratulations to the entire NACAC team, the coaches, manager and support team for so fabulously representing Jamaica.” 

-END-

Kingston, July 17 – The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport said today that she was deeply saddened by the death of Cora Ricketts, Second Vice President of Netball Jamaica.

Minister Grange said that, “With Cora’s untimely departure, the netball fraternity in Jamaica has lost a stalwart in the administration of the sport, someone who was totally dedicated to the advancement of netball and who served well on the Board of Netball Jamaica."

The Sport Minister expressed condolences to the family, relatives, friends and associates of Ms. Ricketts as well as to the President and Board of Netball Jamaica.

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Kingston, 15 July 2018 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange says she’s confident that the future of Jamaica’s track and field is in good hands following “the exceptional performances of the national team at the IAAF World Under 20 Championships” which ended today in Tampere, Finland.

Jamaica finished second on the medals table with four gold, five silver and three bronze for a total of 12 medals.  Kenya finished at the top of the medals table with six gold, four silver and one bronze for a total of 11 medals.

Minister Grange said she was particularly pleased with the performance of Briana Williams who secured the sprint double on Saturday after winning the 200M in a championship record of 22.50.  Williams had earlier won the 100M in a time of 11.16.  

“Briana is just 16 years old and she has been able to dominate athletes who are older than she is and deliver so well for Jamaica.  She is already an extraordinary athlete and we look forward to watching and supporting her for many years to come.  I had the opportunity to speak with Briana’s mother to offer sincerest congratulations on behalf of the nation and I look forward to welcoming home Briana and all the members of this very good youth team,” said Minister Grange.

Williams has emulated Jamaica’s track superstar Veronica Campbell Brown in becoming one of the youngest athletes to take the sprint double at the prestigious championships.

“There is no doubt that Jamaica continues to be sprint capital of the world. The performances of our young team solidify that position. I am happy to see that we are reaping rich dividends from the investment of resources, energy and time that has been put into our track and field programme by all our stakeholders,” said Minister Grange.

Minister Grange also congratulated Kai Chang winner of the Discus Throw; Damion Thomas who won the 110M Hurdles; Orlando Bennett silver medallist in 100M Hurdles; Britany Anderson silver medallist in 100M Hurdles; Shiann Salmon silver medallist in the 400M Hurdles; the men’s 4x100M team who got silver in their event; the women’s 4X400M team who got the bronze; Wayne Pinnock bronze medallist in the Long Jump; and Chantz Sawyers bronze medallist in the 400 metres.

The Minister offered special encouragement to rising star Christopher Taylor who finished second in the 400 metres:

“Christopher is a young athlete, a very special athlete who has been having a wonderful season over 100 and 200 metres, especially.  I am very proud of his performance in the 400 metres and this experience will help to propel him as he continues to shine for Jamaica.”

“I take this opportunity to commend all members of the Jamaica team that represented our country so well in Finland. We are proud of you and anticipate even greater performances in the future.”

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Kingston, 8 July 2018 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, says she wants to fast track the process of developing a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the area of sport between the governments of Chile and Jamaica.

Yesterday (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, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness and the President of Chile, His Excellency Sebastián Piñera, in Montego Bay, St James.

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable Pearnel Charles Jr. signed on behalf of Jamaica while the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, His Excellency 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 Minister 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 Public Service as well as with the Attorney General’s Chamber.

Minister Grange said the signing of the Declaration of Intent signals a willingness to expedite the process as Chile “are particularly keen in 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 ten disciplines are taught there.  We want to go and look at it and to see how we can get technical assistance and advice.”

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The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has said that there has been noticeable progress in women’s cricket in the West Indies and the Government of Jamaica will play its part in the continued development of the sport.

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has said the nation should say thanks and rejoice for the return of Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce to the track Minister Grange spoke today at the Unveiling of the Maquette of the Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce Statue at a function at the Jamaica Pegasus.

History will be made at this year's INSPORTS Basic Schools Athletics Champs as for the first time the top performing institutions will be receiving prize money.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Alando Terrelonge (left), celebrates the signing of a partnership agreement between Real Madrid Football Club and Sandals Resorts International to stage a five-day football clinic for 50 children under the age of 13 and 30 coaches in Jamaica in May 2019. Others in the photo from left are Andres Muntaner, New Projects, Clinics and Campus Manager Real Madrid Foundation; Adam Stewart, Deputy Chairman of Sandals Resorts International and Honourable Floyd Green, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information.

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The Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Alando Terrelonge is calling on the country’s sporting associations to assign a psychologist to all national sports teams.

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has announced prizes of sports equipment and gear for the schools taking the top 10 places at the 38^th staging of the INSPORTS Primary Schools Athletics Championships scheduled for the National Stadium from May 9 to 12, 2018.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Alando Terrelonge with members of Jamaica’s Senior Women’s Football team following their 3-2 win against Barbados in the Caribbean Football Union Women’s Challenge Series at the UWI/JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence on April 20.

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The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, says the development of a Policy and Regulatory Framework for Safeguarding Children in Sport is a “priority” for her Ministry.

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport today told the Sunshine Girls that their performance at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Australia spoke clearly that gold is not far away. 

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange in conversation with Mary Davis, CEO, Special Olympics International following a Courtesy Call on Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness today (April 10) at the Office of the Prime Minister. Minister Grange said that through the Special Olympics programmes supported by the government, abilities are emphasised rather than disabilities and each athlete is encouraged to give of their best.

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The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has reaffirmed the Government of Jamaica’s commitment towards the development of the country’s Special Olympics programme.

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has said that she has nothing but praise for the Jamaica Team which came out of the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Australia with a record 27 medals.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has said heaped praise on Aisha Praught who won a historic gold medal for Jamaica in the women's 3000 metres steeplechase at the Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Australia.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has described the late former administrator Pat Anderson as "one of the pioneers who laid the foundation for Jamaica's success in sports."

Mr Anderson, who led both the Jamaica Football Federation and the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (now Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association) during his long career in sports, passed away today (Tuesday) following illness.

Reacting to news of his passing, Minister Grange said:

"Pat Anderson gave his all to building sports in Jamaica, from the grassroots to the high performance level.  We will always be grateful to him for the development programmes he initiated — programmes that helped to identify and hone the skills of some of our world class athletes including, Usain Bolt and Melaine Walker."

Minister Grange has sent her deepest condolences to Mr Anderson's family and friends.

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Representing the Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, newly appointed State Minister in the Ministry, the Honourable Alando Terrelonge (left) welcomed the triumphant Jamaica CARIFTA Games team on their arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport on Tuesday, April 3. With Minister Terrelonge are: Briana Williams (2^nd left), who was named the Austin Sealy Award winner for her outstanding performances, winning 3 gold medals and setting a new 100m Championship record; Christopher Taylor (right), male team Captain, winner of the U-20 200m and a member of both the 4x100m and 4x400m relays and Dr Warren Blake, President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association. Minister Terrelonge told the team that the country was deeply appreciative of their superlative performance at the Games and that they could be assured of the Ministry’s support at all time.

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Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange has heaped praises on Jamaica’s highly successful team at the recently concluded Carifta Games, held in the Bahamas.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has congratulated the winners of the annual ISSA Grace Kennedy Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships which ended this evening (Saturday) at the National Stadium.

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has congratulated the Sunshine Girls on their winning of the recently played 4-nation Netball Series in New Zealand.

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment has hailed the contribution of Boys Town to the development of O’Neil Gordon “Collie’ Smith, as one of West Indies cricket’s greatest all-rounders.

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has described as “successful” the first phase in the implementation of a three-year Technical Agreement on Sport between Jamaica and the People’s Republic of China.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, says through “small but giant steps”, Jamaica can be among the leaders in the world of golf.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange says she's confident of a podium finish for Jamaica in the Bobsleigh competition at the Winter Olympic Games which will take place in Pyeongchang, South Korea from February 9 to 25.

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has praised the Kingston Humming Birds Netball Team for “exhibiting true grit and determination” to win the Berger Elite League Netball Competition at the National Stadium last Saturday (February 3).

Kingston, January 11 - The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport today announced that Troy Primary School in Trelawny which is the primary school attended by Veronica Campbell Brown will definitely be renamed for her as a tribute to one of Jamaica’s greatest athletes.

Kingston, January 15 - The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport today (Monday) announced former National Football player Ian ‘Pepe’ Goodison and former National Netball player and current coach, Oberon “OB” Pitterson-Nattie as Ambassadors for the INSPORTS National Primary Football and Netball Programmes.

Kingston – January 12 - The first set of coaches being provided to Jamaica by the People’s Republic of China for seven sports under a three-year technical agreement signed between the two countries last year, arrived in Kingston yesterday afternoon (January 11).

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, in congratulating the newly elected President of the Aquatic Sports Association, Mr. Martin Lyn, has said that she is wishing even further success for the Association under his leadership.

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport says she is very excited by the prospect of an Ice Arena being established in Jamaica for the sport of Ice Hockey to be played locally.

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has said that naming the cricket ground at Eltham High School in St. Catherine for Jamaica and West Indies team captain, Stafanie Taylor, “will serve to elevate the image of women’s cricket, not only in Jamaica but in the West Indies in general.”

Below is an edited version of the presentation delivered on November 1, 2017 by the Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport at the Groundbreaking and Sign Unveiling Ceremony for the Stafanie Taylor Oval at Eltham High School in St. Catherine.

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, has said that it was a tremendous performance from the Sunshine Girls to take the silver medal in the just concluded Fast5 Netball tournament in Australia.

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport today recognised Marathon racing as “one of the major engines driving sport tourism in Jamaica.”

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, says Jamaica will, for the first time have the benefit of coaches from China for the sporting disciplines of swimming, synchronized swimming, badminton, gymnastics, volleyball, football and basketball.

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, will be the main speaker at the Ground Breaking and Sign Unveiling ceremony for the Stafanie Taylor Oval at Eltham High School in St. Catherine on Wednesday November 1, 2017.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, yesterday presented the former Jamaica boxing champion George ‘Bunny’ Grant with the keys to his newly refurbished home.

Kingston, September 12, 2017 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has described the new West Indies Home Contractors (WIHCON) housing development – The Lofts Apartments – on Arthur Wint Drive as a place that is poised to “promote the wellness of residents by providing access to participate in sport and physical activity.”

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, has told the Reggae Boyz that they did well although they did not win the Gold Cup.

The Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of the People’s Republic of China, through the Chinese Embassy for a feasibility study towards a sport cooperation agreement between the two countries.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, now visiting London for the IAAF World Championship has met with members of the Jamaica Team and has told them that the country is still fully behind them.

Jamaica’s remarkable performance so far at the International Sport Kick Boxing Association (ISKA) World Martial Arts Championship in Greece has brought high praise from the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, says that the absence of physical education instructors in schools for the deaf is an “obvious anomaly” which her Ministry plans to work in tandem with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information to correct.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has underscored the importance of a strong anti-doping programme in Jamaica.

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, has said that it was fulfilling that in the same breath as the nation on Saturday night saw Usain Bolt run his last professional race in Jamaica, there will be the opportunity to this week to see “some of what is in the cradle and will be coming through to succeed the likes of Usain.”

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has said that the UWI-JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence is perhaps the most important move made to date in the interest of Jamaica’s football development.

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has congratulated Mr Christopher Samuda on his election as President of the Jamaica Olympic Association.

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, today told members of Jamaica’s national football team, the Reggae Boyz, that as Minister of Sport, “I will find ways to get improvement to poor playing surfaces and other deficiencies in sports infrastructure.”

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has welcomed the Queen’s Baton Relay to Jamaica with the hope that Jamaica will get another opportunity to host the Commonwealth Games.

The Honourable Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, has said even before the Finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup football tournament currently being played in the United States, congratulations were in order for Jamaica’s Reggae Boys who have now reached consecutive Finals in the competition.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, today unveiled a maquette of the statue which will be mounted at Statue Park at the National Stadium in honour of Usain Bolt, considered by many across the world to be the greatest sprinter in the history of track and field.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, has expressed sadness at the passing of Captain Horace Burrell, President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has expressed sadness at the death of young student athlete, Saymar Ramsey.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, says her Ministry is on a programme to ensure that Jamaicans have access to sports facilities at the grassroots level as part of efforts to encourage healthy lifestyles and wellness.

The Jamaican Government will salute the Rio Olympic delegation with a three-day programme of celebratory activities designed to honour their achievements and demonstrate national pride in their performances. The events will be held over the Heroes Weekend, October 14-16.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Honourable Olivia Grange commended Jamaica’s athletes for their “gutsy” performance at the recently concluded Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has commended Chris Gayle on the publication of his biography and urged more Jamaicans to document their history.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has lauded the work being done by the Guardian Group through its Keep It Alive 5K Night Runs.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has congratulated Dana-Gaye Weller on her “outstanding performance” at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In my respectful view, one of the immortal lines in Literature is -“A thing of beauty is a joy forever” from the magnificent poem “Endymion” by John Keats. Written in the early nineteenth century, this is one of my all-time favourites.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has hailed the achievements of the Captain of the English Premier League side Leicester City and Jamaican International Wes Morgan.

The favourites prevailed as Bulgaria and Argentina defeated Jamaica’s Women and Open teams 4-0 and 3 ½ - ½, respectively, as action got underway in round one of the 42nd World Chess Olympiad being held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Jamaica’s men, playing in the 4th round of the Open section of the 42nd World Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan, produced a fighting performance to defeat the higher rated favourites Nigeria 2 ½ - 1 ½.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, says the Government will continue to support the Reggae Boyz and called on the country to do the same.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has hailed the performance of Elaine Thompson, whom she describes as “an outstanding record-setter” at the Diamond League meet in Zurich, Switzerland on Thursday.

Sport Minister, Honourable Olivia Grange, has encouraged the Sir Henry Morgan Angling Association to work with communities within the fishing industry in order to protect the environment and increase participation in sports fishing.

Right on the heels of Jamaica’s impressive showing in the recently concluded Rio Summer Olympics, led by the irrepressible Usain Bolt, another Jamaican team is off to battle the world!

Sport Minister, Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange has presented the Jamaica Chess Federation with a special contribution of JM$2 million towards preparation for the 2016 Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijani, September 1-14.

Wednesday, August 25, 2016 - Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, has extended best wishes to the Jamaica Paralympic team as they prepare to participate in the 2016 Rio Paralympics Games set to commence on September 7.

“It was simply Jamaica to the world this evening,” according to the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, following #TeamJamaica’s success in both the men’s and women’s 4x100 metres relays at the Rio Olympics on Friday.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, says “it’s absolutely fantastic” that Jamaica won silver medals in both the women’s and men’s 4x400 metres at the Rio Olympics in Brazil this evening.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has said that “the world’s greatest athlete, Usain Bolt, has delivered again.”

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, said she was “honoured to witness Elaine Thompson’s glory” after the Jamaican sprinter won the women’s 200 metres gold medal at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this evening.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, believes several Jamaicans have become interested in diving as a sport, thanks to Yona Knight-Wisdom.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has congratulated Jamaica’s Sherika Jackson who took the bronze medal in the women’s 400 metres at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Monday evening.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has described the new Olympic 110 metres hurdles champion, Jamaica’s Omar McLeod, as “simply a superb athlete with a great future.”

“Magnificent, record-breaking Bolt does it again!” was the reaction of the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, after watching Usain Bolt win the 100 metres at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro this (Sunday) evening.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has congratulated the new Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson and the bronze medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, says the nation can be proud of swimmer Alia Atkinson who competed in the 100m Breaststroke at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil yesterday (Monday) evening.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has congratulated national representatives for “a weekend of sports achievement” which she calls “a fitting gift as Jamaica celebrates 54 years of Independence.

Sport Minister, Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, extended congratulations to men’s 400m hurdler, Jaheel Hyde and Tiffany James who gave Jamaica its first ever gold medal in the women's 400m at the recently concluded IAAF World Under-20 Championships in Poland.

Sport Minister, Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, says the Government of Jamaica is committed to move sport front and centre of economic growth and infrastructure development.

Sport Minister Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange says she is thrilled by the recent performances of national teams which represented Jamaica in international tournaments over the weekend.

Sport Minister, Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, has lauded the Jamaica Amateur Gymnastics Association (JAGA) for its role in the development of the sport in Jamaica. She also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working with the Association in order to ensure continued success, building on the country’s recent qualification to participate in gymnastics at this summer Rio Olympic games.

Sport Minister, Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange has congratulated Jamaica’s first male diver, Yona Knight-Wisdom, who is set to participate in the upcoming Rio Summer Olympics.

Minister of Sport, the Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, yesterday participated in a signing ceremony to formalise the partnership between the Jamaica Bobsleigh Federation and the Shitamachi Bobsleigh Project from Japan who will provide Jamaica with the necessary equipment for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games to be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

On the heels of an outstanding performance by the national swim team at the recently concluded 21st Caribbean Islands Swimming Championship in the Bahamas, Sport Minister, the Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, has reassured the Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica (ASAJ) and its members that they too are covered under the Government’s new Jamaican Athlete Health Insurance Plan (JAIP).

Sport Minister, Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, says the National Under-19 male volleyball team must build on the positives learned from their recent participation in the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) Boys Under-19 Championship in Havana, Cuba.

The Ministry of Sport, led by Minister, the Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, today convened the first orientation session for the newly appointed board members of the Independent Anti - Doping Disciplinary Panel and the Anti-Doping Appeal Tribunal at the Courtleigh Hotel in Kingston.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange expressed great satisfaction with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for their role in propelling cricket to regional prominence once again as she underscored the importance of cricket to the region and CPL to the rest of world as an important tourism product at the Foska Oats Jamaica Tallawahs Team Breakfast on Tuesday, June 28th, 2016.

Sport Minister, the Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, has reaffirmed the Government of Jamaica’s commitment to aid in the growth and development of the nation’s Special Olympics programme, through continued financial and technical support.

Sport Minister the Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, today, disclosed that the appointment of all boards in the Government’s sports sector has now been completed with Cabinet’s approval of the new Board of Directors for the Institute of Sports (INSPORTS) on Monday, June 13, 2016.

Sport Minister, the Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange says she will be closely monitoring the case in which a Jamaican athlete has returned an adverse analytical result from the retesting programme of samples from the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Jamaica and Ethiopia have agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the areas of sport and culture.

Sport Minister, the Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange says a meeting will be convened with members of the organizing committee headed by Mr. Jason McKay at the earliest possible date, with a view to see how best the Government of Jamaica can assist in successfully hosting the 2018 International Sport Kickboxing Association World Championship (ISKA).

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport the Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange extended congratulations to Jamaica’s Reggae Boy and Captain of the Leicester City Football Club, Westley ‘Wes’ Morgan on leading his team to claim the coveted Barclays Premier League title in England.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange has applauded the work being done by the Jamaica Amateur Softball Association (JASA) and expressed confidence that softball can be developed in Jamaica.

The Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange has signaled that her Ministry, the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, is in the process of developing a national framework for the mobilization of more Jamaicans to participate in various forms of physical activity that contribute to mental and physical fitness, facilitate social interaction and foster social cohesion while building bridges of friendship at all levels of the Jamaican society.

The Government of Jamaica, through the Sports Development Foundation, will be donating J$2.5 million to Special Olympics Jamaica.

Jamaica’s National Under-16 netballers are being urged to challenge themselves and push for places in the squads above their age group. 

Sport Minister, the Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, has urged the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and players to find a common ground on which trust and confidence can be built in order for the West Indies  team to return to the pinnacle of world cricket.

“Today is another giant step forward and great moment for women in sport especially for those of us from the Caribbean,” said Hon. Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport after the West Indies Women lifted the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time in history. 

Minister of Culture, Gender Affairs, Entertainment & Sport Hon. Olivia Grange describes the West Indies men’s team as “true and worthy champions” after they became the first team to win the ICC T20 World Cup twice.

Sport Minister, the Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, has extended congratulations to both the male and female West Indies cricket teams for winning their semi-final matches and advancing to the respective finals of the ICC Twenty20 2016 Cricket World Cup in Mumbai, India.