...Year in Review 2007

Look out for the Cee Bee year in review 2007

CWC 2007
Book Launch
Jazz
Brand Jamaica
Love
Locks
...and More

Talk soon

New Chapter...in 2008

As we approach 2008 (a leap year)...let us look closely at renewing our lives in a way that will impact on people in a positive way.

2008 is expected to be a great year for sport as it is the hosting of the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China from August 8 - 28.

Qualifiers for World Cup 2010 (football) will begin...and lots more.

Let us support sport in a more serious way in the upcoming year and show our athletes that we care.

More time

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

Sport Stars and facilities to drive Sport Tourism in Jamaica

By Carole Beckford

Between August 8 and 24, 2008, lots of attention will be focused on Beijing, China for the Summer Olympic Games. Jamaica’s representation will come from a number of sporting areas, but track and field will remain the most watched.

How will Jamaica use its preparation in the upcoming year to capitalise on sport tourists to come to Jamaica? Sport tourists are becoming some of the most high-spending tourists around the world and major or well planned events are just what they want to attend.

Apart from the Summer Olympic Games, there is the World Track and Field Championship in 2009 and then the World Cup Football in 2010.

Are there any major sporting events on the calendar for 2008 to be held at the Independence Park Limited Complex; Sabina Park, Trelawny Multi Purpose Complex?
I know of Gibson Relays on February 23; Boys and Girls Championships – March 12 – 15; International Track & Field – May 3 and host of international football friendlies.

Jamaica should use its great sporting stars and institutions to lure visitors to the island, so the country can capitalise on the ever-growing sport tourism market. There must be collaboration with the agencies and personnel with the expertise to attract the visitors to watch, play and experience sport in Jamaica.

How the stars can help?

The world’s fastest man, Asafa Powell and some of his colleagues will be in Australia undergoing preparation for upcoming events. He along with other athletes should be asked to promote Jamaica as a sport tourist destination. Two hours a week should be enough for starters.

They should be given a sport map, outlining where the major facilities are, where the accommodation spaces are and important dates on the calendar, so they are armed with enough information to distribute. Some other information could include capacity of the facilities. Any other teams traveling could be brought in under this programme.

The Ministry of Tourism along with the Ministry of Sport should merge efforts to launch this programme; a good push for sport for the New Year.

Advertising at other major events

Just up north, our neighbours in the U.S.A. will as always as usual host a variety of events. The NBA All-star game will be in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 17 that should be a glorious opportunity which would require creative marketing. Then there is the US Open Tennis in New York in August another great chance.

Planning will be key to these endeavours and we ought to be very vigilant but smart in how we approach these efforts to improve our figures for tourist arrivals in Jamaica.

Sport Management Course

A ten week comprehensive course will be launched in February 2008 to look at Sport Management. The course will look at the functional areas of sport management; while identifying cultural and historical features of sport. The course will help to prepare persons who have been and are interested in planning major sporting events, in line with Jamaica’s hope to stamp a mark in this aspect of sport.

Watch this space for more information.

Note: My condolence to Herb McKenley’s family and friends. Herb lived a great life, he contributed a lot to the development of track & field and sport in Jamaica. We will miss him, but his legacy will live on.

Happy Holidays! ©

Audio Check...one, two

Women in sport, rocked the Deck in Kingston on December 1

Women in Sport rocked the Deck on Saturday, December 1 when they put on their "deejay" hats for a charity event.

Patrons were apprehensive at first, but from the first deejay on stage, the Deck was 'humming' from 8:00 p.m. to midnight.

Olympian, Juliet Cuthbert opened the show with hits from Chaka Demus, major Mackerel, the late Garnett Silk, Capleton and Beenie Man. Cuthbert, with a hard set to follow, made way for swimming's technical Director, Jackie Walter.

In her introduction, Walter reminded the folks "I have an English side and a Jamaican side…tonight; I am showing you my Jamaican side." She opened with Tina Turner's 'Simply the best' and had hits from Shaggy, Soulja boy and Destra.

Hockey's Myrtle Weir turned up the heat with her soca and dancehall mix with high tempo tunes from Alison Hinds, Movado, Beenie Man and Red Plastic Bag.

Miss Caymanas Park , Milli Lynch worked the vibe with a mix of old and new and "brought sexy back"; featured Burning Spear, Peter Tosh and a range of other local hits.

Pat Garel walked down memory lane with hits from John Holt, Ben. E. King; but it was special guest deejay from Montego Bay, Janet Silvera who had the crowd rocking with her special dub plate and 30-minutes mix of new and old dancehall selections. Janet rocked from start to finish and chanted slangs in between her performance to appease the big crowd gathered.

Netball and basketball star, Oberon Pitterson charmed her way into the hearts of the people with a little bit of everything, hits from Tina Charles, Donna Summer's Hot Stuff; Barbara Streisand's Guilty; but went current with Cham, Beenie Man, Buju and Beres.

Co-host Carole Beckford, also provided a variety with hits from Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, and ended with Assassin. Dorraine Samuels Binger shared emceeing duties and handed over give-a-ways from Wray & Nephew.

Some of those who were out included, Vilma Charlton, Eleanor Jones, Wayne Smith, Del Crooks, Carole Fullerton, Judy Douglas, Sunshine girl, Nadine Bryan, Mario Pottinger out of New York and Courtney Sergeant.

The event was courtesy of Jamaica Women in Sport Society (JWISS) in association with Jamaica Observer, HOT 102 FM, KLAS Sport Radio and the Deck.

JWISS) is a team aimed at improving opportunities for women in sport and physical education. The team is committed to promoting and increasing opportunities and roles for women at all levels. The team will campaign for change in the approach to how we approach information, education, research and training to support increased opportunities for women in sport.

Next event on the Society's agenda is a conference in April 2008.