BY HOWARD WALKER Senior staff reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com Friday, May 19, 2017
The potential of the Jamaica International Invitational (JII) meet as an economic driver has not been lost on the Government, with plans afoot to spend US$40m ($5.2b) over the next five years to upgrade the event's host venue, the National Stadium.The 14th staging of the JII meet will see a constellation of global stars gather at the National Stadium to match skills with some of Jamaica's finest athletes tomorrow.
 |
| Canadian Olympic 100m bronze medallist Andre DeGrasse (second right), shortly after arriving at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday for the Jamaica International Invitational track meet at the National Stadium tomorrow. Also pictured (from left) are the American hurdling trio of Aleec Harris, Jasmine Stower and Nia Ali. (Photo: Collin Reid) |
“The promotion and hosting of national and international sporting events form part of a broader strategy to raise the profile of the city of Kingston, other urban centres and the country as a whole, as this approach is intended to facilitate and strengthen programmes of urban regeneration, rebranding and tourism development,” said Minister of Sport Olivia “Babsy” Grange.
“One very important area which, as a Government, we are fully aware that needs our immediate attention is to upgrade and construct sport facilities. I know that there are some ageing infrastructure like the National Stadium and we do not want to lose our competitive advantage as we seek to promote and host more sporting events and also expand and upgrade those we now host and enjoy,” she added.
“As such, we are committed to spend over US$40 million on the upgrade of the National Stadium over the next five years. Work has already commenced in some areas and there is much more to be done. We are now developing our planning mechanisms to ensure that this public investment project gets all the necessary approvals and support,” Grange revealed.
Jamaica's former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell; Yohan Blake, the 2011 World Championship 100m champion; the emerging Andre Degrasse of Canada; Zharnel Hughes of Great Britain; 2008 Olympic 400m champion Lashawn Merritt; and 2016 pole vault bronze medallist Sam Kendricks will headline the male section.
Jamaica's double Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson, along with American great Allyson Felix and Olympic triple jump champion Caterine Ibarguen of Colombia, will headline a star-studded women's section. more
No comments:
Post a Comment