Gayle hoping Panama partnership strengthens both associations and regional atheltics
JAMAICA ATHELTIC Administrative Association (JAAA) president Garth Gayle says a collaboration with the Panama Athletic Association will not only mutually benefit both partners, but strengthen athletics in the region.
Gayle was speaking at yesterday’s press conference at the JAAA’s Tremaine Road headquarters to announce a partnership between his organisation and the Panama Athletic Association. The partnership will include sharing training knowledge and expertise to Panamanian coaches and athletes, with a memorandum of understanding expected to be signed shortly with the University of Panama and GC Foster College.
Gayle said the added opportunity for local coaches to coach in Panama and compete and train in another environment will benefit l ocal athletics i n addition to helping other regional countries structure their grassroots athletic programmes.
“Jamaica has done exceptionally well over all these years, and it is now time that we reach out to our neighbours and give assistance whenever and wherever, and this is one of those situations that has come about,” Gayle told The
Gleaner.
“I am sure by linking the two countries’ universities that there will be mutual benefit, and so if this is happening through sports and through track and field, we are happy for that.”
Additionally, Gayle said the possibility of junior athletes having another option to continue their craft will broaden their horizons in their continued development.
BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP
“This has happened in several such countries. Many of our athletes are now leaving to go to universities and colleges in the United States. This is widening the scope. Panama is just an hour and a half away. This strengthing will allow for that bilateral relationship to continue. So it’s not Jamaicans only going to the US, but there are other options, other opportunities that are now opening for our athletes.”
The partnership has been welcomed by Panamanian Ambassador to Jamaica Dr Lasford Douglas, who was appreciative of the initial training sessions done recently at the University of Panama by veteran athletics coach Jerry Holness. Those sessions focused on sprints and hurdles.
“At the end, there was the feeling that we need to continue this. We are more than grateful for their time, the knowledge that you shared with our trainers and students, and the intention is that what started in Panama will continue,” Douglas said.
Gayle said the partnership has sparked discussions with two other Central American countries regarding similar opportunities.
JAAA assistant secretary Brian Smith, who was also part of the initial training sessions in Panama, expressed his satisfaction with the session as well as the opportunities that have now opened up.
“I was pleased to see the training, the coaching, the encouragement that Jerry gave to them. They were also imparting it to their students. What this has done for us in Jamaica is to open to the doors to other Central American countries because they want us to come their also to assist them,” Smith said.