Sports minister bats for gov't-private sector partnership

Saturday, February 18, 2012

RUNAWAY BAY, St Ann — Minister with responsibility for Sports, Natalie Neita-Headley, has called on Corporate Jamaica to become more involved in conceptualising and implementing sports programmes across the country.

"Sports is everybody's business, it is clearly not up to Government alone to conceptualise and implement programmes like the ones you have here," said Neita-Headley on Wednesday as she addressed Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners community football league awards ceremony at the Cardiff Hotel and Spa in St Ann.

"Corporations like Norando must begin to see themselves as a part of the development of sports in Jamaica. My vision is for sports to become the tie that binds us together as a people as it did when Jamaica qualified for the World Cup in 1998 or when our country won gold in Beijing and Berlin a few years ago," she added.

Neita-Headley pointed to Digicel's recent announcement of its sponsorship commitment to the Jamaica Football Federation and the Reggae Boyz's MIssion to Rio 2014 World Cup campaign as she called for partnership between government and corporate entities to be strengthened.

She commended Noranda Jamaica Bauxite for sponsoring the community league where over 33 teams participated and over $1 million spent on the competition in the Alexandria and Discovery Bay areas where the company operates.

"I want to congratulate the management of Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners for supporting this initiative, your insight and dedication to this programme is an example of what it means to be a good corporate citizen," said Neita-Headley.

She added: "Not only is sport important for community development and recreation, but it is also a means for our country's economic growth and development. I challenge you as as corporation doing business in Jamaica, to think seriously of partnering with the Government in order to promote the development of sports in this way."

The minister also implored the bauxite company to build on its partnerships with local schools and she noted that supporting the development of sports infrastructure in rural communities and rural schools would ensure continued competitiveness on the world stage.

"Your role as a corporation goes well beyond the mining of bauxite. Your corporate social responsibility extends to the people of the communities in which you operate and your contribution to sports must continue to feature highly in your strategic plans," said Neita-Headley.

Neita-Headley said development of sports should not only be about the national teams, but that focus should also be placed on developing sports at the local and grassroots levels. She said the re-establishment of the National Sports Council would be critical in the distribution of funding, with some equity, especially for community programmes.

Meanwhile, president of the Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners, Pansy Johnson, said the company would continue to sports development programmes.

"We spend a lot of time, our effort and our monies on sports in our communities and educating the people... our promise to you really is that we will continue doing this as long as you encourage us to continue," she said.

President of the St Ann Football Association, Danny Beckford, said the community league has done a lot for the communities and youths in the areas. He said a lot of talent has been discovered through the league and he used the opportunity to call for greater financial support from Government for the development of football in the parish.

Meanwhile, Retreat United Community Club walked away as overall champion, pocketing $50,000, two championship trophies and medals. Retreat United copped the top position among the Mines team and later beat winner of the Plant league Thicketts FC to take the overall championship trophy.

Odaine Tingle (right) of Retreat United Community Club accepts the championship trophy from president of Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners, Pansy Johnson, at the community football league awards ceremony on Wednesday at The Cardiff Hotel and Spa in Runaway Bay, St Ann. Tingle was also named Most Valuable Player and Top Goal-scorer for the Mines League.

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Sports minister bats for gov't-private sector partnership