Sports Development Foundation

SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2021 4 C ONGRATULATIONS TO the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) on cele- brating 25 years of stellar service in Jamaica’s sporting industry. The SDF has made tremendous impact on the sector and has recorded several achievements worthy of commendation. Conceived as the entity to provide resources to support the develop- ment and implementation of sport in Jamaica, the SDF has developed the physical infrastructure and human capital at the community and national levels by implement- ing appropriate plans, policies and programmes. The funding and grants that the Foundation has provided to athletes and sporting associations has ena- bled participation in many interna- tional competitions. I am confident that the SDF will continue to play an invaluable role in building Jamaica’s sports product. In that regard, my administration is committed to providing the foun- dation with the resources necessary for the institution to fulfil its mission. Indeed, Jamaica’s enviable tradi- tion as a global sporting powerhouse will only be maintained by institu- tions such as the SDF, receiving ade- quate support from the private and public sectors. Nonetheless, addi- tional allocation of resources to the Foundation will bolster its capacity to improve its offerings to the sporting federations and associations which it serves. As the SDF forges ahead, I encour- age the members of the foundation to remain steadfast in delivering on the mandate, which is to contribute to the development of our nation through sports. Once again, congratulations on celebrating 25 years in the sporting fraternity. I wish for the SDF every success in the future. THE MOST HON ANDREW HOLNESS, ON, MP Prime Minister Remain steadfast in delivering on your mandate I AM delighted to join in celebrat- ing the 25th anniversary of the Sports Development Foundation (SDF), which was established in 1995 with the goal of furthering Jamaica’s national development through sports. It was one of the visionary developmental achieve- ments of that time. I commend the SDF’s focus on the development of sporting infra- structure, which has provided greater avenues for social cohesion in communities across Jamaica, and has increased career opportunities through sports. It is a good exam- ple of the State playing a vital role in national development, by filling a gap which private capital is unlikely to take on. Jamaica’s internationally recog- nised sporting prowess means that, like the creative industries, there is significant further capacity to develop our sporting industry as a means of individual and national wealth creation. Indeed, we should pursue strategies for making our country a global hub for sporting activities, training and events, along with allied services such as sports tourism and sports medicine. We have seen how important sport can be in bringing communities together, especially in so-called vola- tile areas. I look forward to witnessing SDF’s continued efforts and successes in harnessing the unique power of sports in furtherance of our national developmental goals. Congratulations on this mile- stone achievement, and happy 25th anniversary! MARK J. GOLDING, MP Leader of the Opposition Congratulations on this milestone achievement