Letter of the Day | Congrats to Ja’s athletes at the World Championships

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) extends heartfelt congratulations to our athletes who have once again carried the black, green, and gold to the global stage with distinction at the recently concluded World Athletics Championships in Japan. Their performances have not only earned medals, but have also elevated Brand Jamaica, showcasing our nation’s talent, resilience, and indomitable spirit to the world.

Our track and field athletes embody the best of who we are as a people — disciplined, determined, and deeply committed to excellence. Their achievements reinforce Jamaica’s cultural heritage as a global powerhouse in athletics and serve as an inspiration for generations to come. Beyond national pride, the success of our athletes is a powerful driver of economic growth, boosting tourism, global visibility, and international partnerships.

The PSOJ commends their dedication and sacrifice, and we call on the private sector to deepen its investment in athletics – through sponsorship, training programmes, and broader support for sports development. Private-sector investment, coupled with suitable public policies and incentives, can strengthen the infrastructure that sustains our athletes, ensuring that they can build viable professional careers and continue to compete at the highest levels.

NURTURE THE NEXT GENERATION

We encourage government and business leaders alike to foster innovative public–private partnerships that provide financing, world-class facilities, and sustainable pathways for our athletes to thrive. Such collaboration will not only secure Jamaica’s continued dominance on the global stage, but also contribute to national development by creating jobs, building industries around sports and wellness, and strengthening Brand Jamaica internationally.

Looking ahead, we must now put into high gear our support for a series of global events, to include the World Cup football for men and women, the Netball World Cup, and the next World Athletics Championships in 2027, slated for Beijing, China, as well as the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. At the same time, it is equally important that we continue to nurture the next generation by investing in youth sports through marquee local meets, such as the Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships, the Manning Cup, and the DaCosta Cup, which remain critical incubators of Jamaica’s sporting excellence.

Preparation begins today, and the success of tomorrow depends on the investments we make now. Beyond 2027, Jamaica must also set its sights on positioning itself to host future global competitions, such as the 2030 Junior World Championships, which would bring immense cultural and economic benefits, and further cement our nation’s legacy as the sprint capital of the world.

The PSOJ remains committed to supporting initiatives that elevate Jamaican athletics, and we salute our champions for their contribution to nation-building and global recognition.

Private Sector

Organisation of Jamaica