JOA chief praises performances at CAC, Commonwealth

Christopher Samuda, president of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), has hailed the performances of Jamaican athletes at the recently concluded Commonwealth and Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games.

Jamaica sent more than 250 athletes to compete in 36 sporting disciplines across both competitions.

At the Commonwealth Games, Jamaica won 19 medals to finish eighth in the standings, collecting 10 gold, four silver and five bronze.

Eighteen of Jamaica’s 19 medals came in athletics, with the country’s other medal being a silver in netball.

At the CAC Games, Jamaica finished with 11 medals, comprising one gold, four silver and six bronze, to place 16th on the medal table.

Five of Jamaica’s medals at the CAC Games came in athletics, while artistic gymnastics yielded two. The country also secured one medal each in women’s rugby, squash, netball and badminton.

Samuda praised the athletes for their performances in the national colours, saying the JOA will continue its mission of supporting Jamaican competitors.

“Gold, silver, and bronze moments of glory,” Samuda said.

“My respect for our sportsmen and women will continue to abide as they continue to make sacrifices for our country while exemplifying the Olympic attributes and values of resilience, fortitude, and determination which are defining of character,” he continued.

One of the standout moments for Jamaica at the Commonwealth Games came when the Sunshine Girls defeated world number one Australia in the netball semi-finals, handing the Australians their first defeat at that stage of the competition.

Navasky Anderson also made history at the Commonwealth Games when he became the first Jamaican man to win the 800m title.

NON-TRADITIONAL SPORTS

While the nation also impressed at the CAC Games, much of the spotlight fell on the non-traditional sporting disciplines.

Jahzara Swaby won two bronze medals in women’s artistic gymnastics after finishing on the podium in both the vault and all-around events.

In badminton, Tahlia Richardson won bronze in the women’s singles, while Julian Morrison and Tahjia Lumley secured bronze in the men’s squash doubles.

The Lady Crocs, Jamaica’s women’s rugby sevens team, also earned their first-ever medal at the CAC Games, claiming bronze.

The team was led by captain Naomi Dodd, who also served as Jamaica’s flag-bearer.

Samuda said the performances highlighted the importance of sports development and ensuring athletes remain at the centre of national sporting plans.

“Athlete-centricity is imperative to any successful strategy of sport development, not only because it enables matriculation of talent to the regional and international stages, but also critically in enabling the self-actualisation of citizens of a sporting fraternity. Citizenship in sport must be a focal strategy of sports development as we pursue the infrastructural development and financial viability of a sector.”

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com