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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