1 month ago
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The Jamaica Paralympic Association (JPA), in collaboration with the University of West Indies (UWI) Faculty of Sport, is set to host the second staging of the Commonwealth Sport GAPS (Gather, Adjust, Prepare, Sustain) Americas & Caribbean Programme from July 21 to July 25.
In a press conference yesterday at the UWI Mona campus, JPA announced they would continue their partnership with the UWI following the successful staging of the GAPS inaugural programme last year.
GAPS is aimed at the development of inclusive sport pathways for para athletes and coaches across the Caribbean region.
This year’s staging will see eight para athletes and 18 coaches from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada and Guyana taking part in the programme.
Dr Akshai Mansingh, dean of UWI’s Faculty of Sport, welcomed the opportunity to once again host the GAPS programme.
“It was just a few years ago that we had a meeting where we were just talking about GAPS, and the principles and GAPS and how we want to bring it to this region,” Mansingh explained.
“It was a concept that we developed with great support from the Jamaica Paralympic Association. That support was important but I think what’s more important was the actual effect, which was that we had the camp last year.
“The fact that we’re having a second camp shows not only commitment but perseverance. It shows the importance of not just para sports, but that we’re fully committed to this and we’re absolutely delighted that we’re having a Caribbean camp.”
Suzanne Harris-Henry, secretary-general of the JPA, said the association is anticipating another successful staging of the GAPS programmes.
She said it is extremely important for both coaches and para athletes to be trained at the highest level, to ensure they can compete with pride on the world’s stage.
“The Jamaica Paralympic Association is very pleased to be a part of this initiative,” she said.
“For the first camp to happen last year and to know the second camp is happening this year, I am just very impressed with the dedication from all the stakeholders involved to ensure that all the para athletes from the Caribbean, and their coaches are trained.”
She continued, “It is important for our coaches to have the requisite skills to ensure that our athletes are on the world stage, and the Paralympic Games ultimately, to win medals because they have the right coaches to support them.”
Inclusive sport
The Gaps programme also earned the approval of the interim Commonwealth Sport president Donald Rukare.
Although unable to attend the press conference in person, Rukare expressed his comments through a video message.
“At Commonwealth Sport, we are fully supportive of inclusive sport. We believe in the power of sport to unite all athletes of various abilities and we’re particular happy that through the GAPS programme, we’re able to promote inclusive sport,” he said.
“We’re very happy that the second edition of the GAPS programme is being held in the beautiful city of Kingston.
“We wish you all the best and we hope you find this camp very insightful, very useful and we look forward to a successful holding of this second GAPS camp in Kingston, Jamaica.”
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