A new era for Jamaican parasports began with the signing of a significant memorandum of understanding between the Jamaica Paralympic Association (JPA), the Korean Paralympic Committee (KPC), and the BDH Paras Foundation.
The agreement, formalized in Paris during the Paralympic Games, is now creating tangible opportunities as Jamaica prepares to send a para-badminton team and coach to train at the Incheon Paralympic Training Center in South Korea. Additionally, a Jamaican track coach may soon join to lead sessions with Korean athletes and coaches.
JPA President Christopher Samuda hailed the partnership as “a testament to mutual dedication in parasports” and emphasized Jamaica’s commitment to sports that are traditionally seen as minor but are treated as priorities by the JPA. Through this collaboration, Jamaican para-athletes will receive specialized training in sports like archery, judo, taekwondo, swimming, and table tennis, which the JPA aims to advance on the global stage.
The value of this partnership
The journey of success for Jamaican para-athletes began with historic bronze medals in judo and taekwondo at the Lima 2019 Para Pan American Games, followed by Jamaica’s first para-archery team competing at Santiago 2023.
JPA Director Ryan Foster emphasized the value of this partnership, stating, “We’re not just talking; we’re actively building skills and capitalizing on global networks to grow our expertise at every level, which is invaluable beyond financial investment.”
This four-year Jamaica-Korea partnership will extend beyond athletics, creating pathways for Jamaican medical and physiotherapy experts to become international classifiers and stakeholders to train as International Technical Officials (ITOs). “Our vision is to cultivate a local network of skilled professionals, each contributing unique expertise to strengthen and expand Jamaica’s parasports presence,” Samuda explained. “Our philosophy is shaped by history, empowered by the present, and driven by the future—principles that also embody the Paralympic spirit.”
As part of its broader goals, the JPA is also in talks with international sports federations to expand classification, technical, and coaching opportunities, further elevating Jamaica’s profile in the parasports arena.
