In a move that is expected to revive the sport of cycling on the local scene, the Ministry of Sport has renewed its commitment to the Jamaica Cycling Federation (JCF) through several initiatives announced by Sports Minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange.
The new initiatives are particularly geared towards the track-cycling discipline and will see the ministry providing assistance in the procurement of track-specified bicycles, protective helmets and other equipment required by the programme to the JCF and were recently announced by Minister Grange.
Additionally, the JCF will be granted space to set up its secretariat. In addition, the Sports Development Foundation has been given a directive to provide financial assistance to the cash-strapped body beyond the regular subvention that it already provides.
The JCF is also set to benefit from Ministry-arranged coaching programmes and seminars as well as outreach initiatives.
JCF president Vaughn Phang welcomed the partnership and described it as a timely and strategic alliance towards the long-term development of the local programme.
“We are very pleased with the minister’s commitments and we believe that in terms of long-term development, programmes like this will definitely benefit Jamaica and the youth in a different kind of way than what is presently being done through the various clubs,” Phang said.
Phang led a delegation that recently presented a list of initiatives and proposals to the minister. The opportunity was also used to highlight the accomplishments of the federation – such as the establishment of eight cycling clubs across the island – and its ambition to attract more young riders to the sport.
“(Track cycling is) crucial to Jamaica’s continued success in the international arena and was essential in building Jamaica’s credibility. now we need to identify the next Olympian and we will with the new effort that we plan to put into track cycling,” said Phang.
He highlighted the prestige of the track aspect of the sport on the international scene and its relevance to the Jamaican cycling movement.
“We have seen a bid globally to turn track cycling into a professional sport to rival what has been happening with road cycling for many years. So professional track cycling teams are being formed all over the world and I think it’s going to be more popular as time goes by, so the sooner we can position ourselves to be a part of this global change, I think the better off we will be,” he advised.
Meanwhile, Minister Grange applauded the efforts of the JCF and underlined her office’s commitment to the developmental process.
Said Grange: “The Ministry of Sports is committed to working with the Federation to realise its dream to take track cycling in Jamaica to the highest.” (reprinted from Jamaican Observer)
