In a momentous declaration with far-reaching regional impact, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Andrew Parsons, has affirmed Jamaica’s central role in the future of Paralympic sport in the Caribbean, announcing during a historic visit:
“Jamaica will be the hub of Caribbean Parasports development.”
This landmark endorsement by the world’s leading Paralympic official is more than symbolic—it signals the launch of a ground-breaking five-year grassroots project designed to transform the landscape of parasport across the region, with Jamaica serving as the strategic epicenter.
A visionary multi-national collaboration
The initiative, spearheaded by the Latin American and Caribbean Development Bank and the Americas Paralympic Committee (AmPC), is expected to begin implementation in earnest next month, when an official delegation arrives on the island to commence foundational work.
At the heart of the plan is the proposed establishment of a Paralympic Academy in Jamaica—an institution envisioned to foster elite athlete training, talent discovery, education, and long-term development.
According to Christopher Samuda, President of the Jamaica Paralympic Association (JPA) and Executive Board Director of the AmPC, the initiative represents: “A negotiated bi-lateral and visionary partnership for the sustainable development of Jamaica and the Caribbean.”
The multi-dimensional project includes the development of a policy framework, a comprehensive infrastructure master plan, and a renewed focus on capacity building—all within a model that aims to be replicated across the region.
The root of sports development: From the ground up
Samuda, a longstanding advocate for systemic sport transformation, was direct about the necessity of building the physical and institutional foundations to match athletic ambition.
“Financing teams, athletes, and coaches… is essential,” he noted. “But building out an infrastructure where education and elite physical training are married to modern facilities and headquartered in the same space is the genetic root of sports development.”
That belief in a long-term, structure-first approach was echoed powerfully by Chairman of the JPA’s Athletes’ Commission, Attorney-at-Law Travis Ebanks, who contextualized the initiative in terms of its broader legacy and mission.
“This marks a historic moment for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean,” Ebanks stated. “The focus on grassroots development is a powerful investment in the future of Parasports in our region. It represents not just opportunity, but a clear commitment to inclusion, excellence, and regional leadership.”
Infrastructure, inclusion, and intentional action
The partnership’s development goals are bold and wide-reaching. Among the core deliverables are:
- Strategic intersectoral and community partnerships
- Elevating Jamaica as a regional destination for parasports
- Institutionalizing a culture of inclusion and diversity
- Crafting a replicable roadmap for athlete and coach capacity-building
- Amplifying public awareness of Paralympism’s values and principles
Samuda doubled down on the call for urgent and intentional infrastructure investment.
“You’ve got to literally break ground and build from the grassroots up if we are serious about infrastructural and talent development,” he said. “The hope of a prospective Olympic swimmer will drown without a pool. The basketballer will be a basket case without a court.”
His solution is clear: “Let’s get to work and construct a blueprint for multi-sport complexes, perhaps on a county basis… capitalize them with public-private resources, bring in professionals who know the business of managing and commercializing sport facilities, and mine deep in guaranteeing their sustainability.”
A movement, not just a moment
This bold new chapter in Caribbean parasport is more than a strategic plan—it is a commitment to empowering the next generation of para-athletes with the tools, environments, and support systems they deserve. Jamaica stands at the forefront of this charge, prepared to lead not just with words, but with infrastructure, inclusion, and impact.
The world is watching. And Jamaica is rising.
