The Sports Development Foundation (SDF) provided another $35 million to the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) for the National track and field trials, along with the various regional games, including the Central America and Caribbean Games in El Salvador, and culminating with the World Athletics Championships in Hungary.
SDF, a State Agency, has a budget of approximately $600-650 million per year.
A few weeks ago, portfolio minister Olivia Grange told Parliament that the SDF would invest $165 million to construct multipurpose courts, upgrade fields, and other infrastructure in communities and schools; and another $182 million to support the development work of 57 national sports federations and associations.
Denzil Wilks, general manager of the SDF, said the agency was just fulfilling its mandate.
"The last couple of months have been hectic as sporting activities continue to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.
With Jamaica represented in lacrosse in San Diego, USA; Special Olympics in Germany; the Netball World Cup approaching in South Africa; powerlifting in the Cayman Islands; and the women's football World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the SDF has been hard-pressed to provide support across all these sporting disciplines.
At the same time, $4 million has been provided to the Jamaica Basketball Association to assist with the revival of the National Basketball League, and only last year the association assisted with a brand new, $40-million basketball court and upgraded facilities.
"This is the surest indication that sports is up and running and in urgent need of greater funding. The need for upgraded lighting at the National Stadium and at Sabina Park, as well as at other facilities which host night sports, gives testimony to the growth potential of sport if the requisite investment can be found," said Wilks.
"The SDF continues discussions with corporate Jamaica as it explores potential collaboration with the private sector in its efforts to boost the sporting sector," he added.