Sports Development Foundation

SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2021 9 T WENTYFIVE YEARS in the life of an institution can be considered short. The impact of such an entity, however, can be substantial even in that short time. Such is the story of the Sports Development Foundation. It cannot be only coincidence, that after its establishment in 1995, Jamaica made it to the FootballWorld Cup for the first time. This was fol- lowed by qualifications for a number of age-group world football competi- tions. The contribution of the SDF to these events was not insubstantial. Then came the explosion in track and field athletics in 2008, which has continued almost unabated. In this particular discipline, the stage was set with the staging of the World Youth games in 2002 in Jamaica. Again, the contribution of the SDF in this regard was remarkable. Sport has now been established as a major contributor to all aspects of the Jamaican economy and its very culture. If only we were able to garner the resources really required to maximise the real impact that sport can have on this society, many would believe that miracles are being wrought. Research has shown that the pro- vision of the SDF to the sporting landscape is approximately 30 per cent of the real needs. It behoves us as a society to endeavour to aim for even 50 per cent. All concerned, particularly the staff, many of whom have been there for the long haul, must be congratulated even as we double down for the next era. DENZIL WILKS General Manager/Director Congrats, as we double down for the next era Sports Development Foundation DIRECTORS George Soutar, CD, QC – chairman Lloyd ‘Bunny’ Pommells, OD, JP Ann Marie Spence Heron, OD, JP (Mrs) Newton Amos Lilian Reid (Ms) Michael Fennell, OJ, CD, LLD (HON) Molly Rhone, OJ, CD, LLD (HON) Alexander Shaw Compton Rodney, OD Denzil Wilks – ex-officio