The Jamaica Paralympic Association (JPA) has announced its pioneering initiative to host the regional sports training for boccia and track and field, slated for March 13 – 15, 2024.
This ground-breaking event, conducted in collaboration with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), marks a significant milestone for the Caribbean region.
Designed to elevate the skills and technical expertise of para-athletes, coaches, and officials, the training will bring together participants from across the Caribbean, including Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and the US Virgin Islands.
Fostering the growth and development of para-sports in the region
The primary objective is to equip attendees with the necessary tools and knowledge to excel in future international competitions, thereby fostering the growth and development of para-sports in the region.
The culmination of the training will coincide with the Velocity Fest on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the National Stadium. This event will serve as a platform for athletes to showcase their newly acquired skills and compete at an international standard.
In a press conference held at the Jamaica Olympic Association offices on Friday, Jamaica Paralympic Association President Christopher Samuda expressed his enthusiasm for the historic occasion. He highlighted several key milestones that make this event truly ground-breaking:
Key milestones
- The partnership between the IPC and the JPA marks the first time the global governing body has collaborated with a regional association to deliver a training event of this scale.
- This event represents the first time that IPC training sessions for coaches and technical officials in two sports are being held simultaneously in the Caribbean.
- A formal pathway is being established for Caribbean stakeholders to build capacity and transition coaches, technical officials, and classifiers to international status.
- The integration of a Caribbean educational forum with an IPC-sanctioned track and field meet, Velocity Fest, represents a unique opportunity for knowledge sharing and skill development.
- Velocity Fest will welcome para-athletes from 13 Caribbean countries, expanding participation beyond Jamaica.
- Over 80 stakeholders from across the Caribbean will converge to share knowledge and foster unity within the Paralympic movement.
Ambitious goals for the JPA
Looking towards the future, Samuda outlined ambitious goals for the JPA, envisioning Jamaica as a hub for regional and international technical training and capacity building. He emphasized the importance of investing in athletes, coaches, and officials to create a robust sports industry in the Caribbean.
Samuda concluded with a resounding message of optimism, affirming that the best is yet to come for the JPA and the athletes it serves. He underscored the organization’s commitment to enabling athletes of all abilities to reach their full potential and affirmed that next month’s forum is just the beginning of a transformative journey in Caribbean para-sports.
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