The Permanent Secretary (Acting) in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Dr Janice Lindsay — who signed the MOU on Jamaica’s behalf — described it as a “significant move for the further development of sport in Jamaica”.  The Chinese study group has been in Jamaica since July 26, 2017 discussing needs and issues with stakeholders in disciplines such as synchronised swimming and badminton.  

The group is returning to China to analyse data collected and to report on the technical and economic feasibility of the proposed cooperation project.  According to the Permanent Secretary, it is being proposed that seven sporting disciplines — synchronised swimming, badminton, gymnastics, swimming, women’s basketball, women’s football and women’s volleyball — should benefit from Chinese technical assistance under the project which, subject to the result of the feasibility study, is to be implemented over three years and in phases.  

“The first phase will see athletes and coaches going to China to benefit from the facilities and the technical expertise. Within the second phase the Chinese will come to Jamaica to work with our coaches and in the third phase equipment will be provided to various sport associations,” said Dr Lindsay.  The MOU was signed on Wednesday (yesterday) at the Jamaica Olympic Association’s Headquarters in Kingston.

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