Driven by a passion for sports, a delegation of sports and educational officials led by Shamfa Cudjoe, Minister of Sport and Community Development (MSCD), visited Jamaica on a five-day study tour focusing on sports development and athletics, particularly at the school level, from January 23-27.
The delegation of 11 was warmly welcomed by Olivia "Babsy" Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, as well as her Ministry's technical team, as both countries have engaged in bilateral cooperation to develop sports. The delegation had the opportunity to interact with faculty members, administrators, students, and staff from primary to tertiary levels as they shared information about their athletic programme.
The study tour also included visits to the GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sport, the Ministry of Education and Youth, the Institute of Sports (InSports), Independence Park Limited, the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA), St Jago High School, New Providence Primary School, Mona High School, Papine High School, and Jamaica College.
Minister Cudjoe said, "Delegates received vivid insights into the existing systems that have led to Jamaica's sporting achievements. We have gained a deeper understanding of the well-structured school sports programme and are excited to forge closer links with Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean. As part of our efforts to create and develop our youth through sports and the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago has invited secondary schools from Jamaica, Guyana, and Barbados to participate in the secondary school relay festival in February."
The other delegates included Gabre-Jesu Mc Tair, director, Physical Education and Sport, Ministry of Sport and Community Development (MSCD), Antonette Brotherson-Brusco, manager Corporate Communications, MSCD, Anna Singh, director, Curriculum Development, Ministry of Education, Kairon Serrette, head, Partnership and Alliance Unit, Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SporTT), Tobias Ottley, head, Elite Athlete Wellbeing Unit, SporTT, Kervin Jean, head, University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus Academy of Sport, St Augustine Campus, Dr Kerry Dollaway, Programme Leader, Academy of Sport, University of T&T (UTT), George Comissiong, president, National Association of Athletic Administrations of T&T (NAAATT), Joseph Brewster, president, Secondary Schools' Track and Field Trinidad and Tobago (SSTF), and Brian Lewis, immediate past president, Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee.