SANTIAGO, Chile — President of the Jamaica Paralympic Association (JPA), Christopher Samuda, delivered a forceful reminder to global sports and development leaders recently, declaring that “capital likes a haven and avoids risks over which it has no control.”
His remarks came during an international forum hosted through a collaboration between UNESCO and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), bringing together government ministers, high-level sporting officials, and major global investors for discussions on inclusive sport, physical education, and long-term funding models.
Defining the fundamentals of investor confidence
Addressing the gathering, Samuda underscored that attracting sustainable capital into sport depends on more than on-field excellence. It requires, he said, “a strong corporate governance culture, a transparent financial framework and an appetite to give the investor bang for the buck and an experience in sport.”
In an era where sponsorship dollars are fiercely contested and the costs of sports administration continue to rise, Samuda urged stakeholders to adopt a more evolved investment mindset, one anchored in credibility, accountability, and deliberate value creation.
Strategic investment: Human capital, momentum, and sustainability
Samuda highlighted three pillars that he believes should inform modern sports investment:
- Human capital development, which inspires confidence and fosters trust in professional competencies.
- “Momentum investment,” which leverages competitive successes to build commercial appeal and drive revenue.
- Sustainable, long-term partnerships with corporate entities and broader community stakeholders, ensuring stability beyond a single competition cycle.
These elements, he argued, are essential for securing not only funding, but enduring partnerships that benefit athletes, institutions, and national sports programs.
A call for a Santiago declaration
In a compelling appeal, Samuda encouraged delegates to transform dialogue into action, expressing hope that the forum would result in “the Santiago Declaration of deliverables”, a tangible roadmap for governments, the United Nations, the Organisation of American States (OAS), the African and European Unions, and other key bodies.
Such a document, he said, would move the conversation from aspiration to decisive implementation.
Jamaica positioned as regional paralympic hub
The JPA and CAF are currently engaged in bilateral negotiations on a landmark investment: the creation of a Paralympic high-performance competition and training center in Jamaica.
The proposed facility would serve athletes across the Caribbean, including Olympic programs, and would further establish Jamaica as the designated hub for Paralympic development in the region.
