In a landmark achievement that punctuates Jamaica’s growing stature in global sports leadership, the island nation has been elected as Vice President of the American Sports Council (CADE)—the first time in history that Jamaica has secured a seat on the executive of the hemispheric body.
The election took place during the inaugural staging of the Sports Summit of the Americas held recently in Montego Bay, a ground-breaking occasion that also marked Jamaica’s debut as host of the region-wide gathering.
“It speaks volumes to the respect that they have for us,” declared Olivia Grange, Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport. “The fact that we have been elected one of four vice presidents for CADE… the fact that we are hosting the Sports Summit of the Americas here in Jamaica for the first time.”
From participant to power player: Jamaica’s evolving global role
Established in 2003, CADE—the American Sports Council—is the principal multilateral platform for shaping sports policy across North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean. By ascending to the executive level, Jamaica now holds official representation for the entire Caribbean bloc, joining Mexico, Panama, and Chile as vice presidents, with the United States presiding as Council chair.
Minister Grange heralded the election as a natural progression of Jamaica’s rising influence in international sports governance. Over the last four years, the country has strategically earned its place on the World Anti-Doping Agency Foundation Board, the Intergovernmental Committee for Physical Education and Sport (UNESCO), and was elected a vice president of CONCECADE, the subregional sports body for Central America and the Caribbean.
“We have shown great leadership in sports across the world,” Minister Grange noted, “to the extent that UNESCO is encouraging Jamaica to take on an even stronger leadership role in the intergovernmental committee on sports and physical education.”
A platform for advocacy and transformation
With its new vice presidency, Jamaica intends to bring a progressive, athlete-centered voice to CADE. Minister Grange outlined a bold policy agenda focused on:
- Protecting athlete health and rights
- Promoting clean sport and anti-doping efforts
- Advancing women’s sport
- Championing inclusion for people with physical and intellectual disabilities
This leadership role will not be ceremonial. It positions Jamaica as a decisive voice in the dialogue on regional and continental sport development, anchoring efforts to ensure that governance structures reflect equity, access, and integrity.
A proud moment, a defining era
As the Summit concluded on April 24, the mood in Montego Bay was one of celebration—but also determination. For Minister Grange, the moment marked a crescendo of a sustained and deliberate campaign to elevate Jamaica’s influence.
“I think we have made a tremendous impact over the last eight years,” she said. “And I’m proud and happy to be the Minister of Sports at this time.”
Flanked by newly elected members of CADE’s executive, Grange stood at the symbolic intersection of past achievements and future ambitions. Jamaica is no longer just a competitor on the world stage—it is now a policymaker.
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