By E Hartman Reckord
KINGSTON, Jamaica, (JIS) – Jamaica and the People’s Republic of France have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will result in the strengthening of cooperation in sports.
Under the MOU, there will be opportunities for both countries to partner in activities to encourage exchange of programming experience, good practice, skills training, performance research and technical expertise.
The MOU was signed on July 24 at the ministry of culture, gender,entertainment and sport, in Kingston, by minister, Olivia Grange and ambassador of the People’s Republic of France, His Excellency Olivier Guyonvarch.
Minister Grange said that the MOU affirms both countries commitment in supporting the already established cooperation between sport structures of excellence in Jamaica and France.
She commended the Faculty of Sports at the University of the West Indies and the Centre of Resources, Expertise and Performances in Sports (CREPS) in Antilles-Guyane for their continued effort to partner and advance the work between the institutions.
“The sector is better for it,” she added.
Minister Grange also lauded the friendship between the two countries, noting that it was recently demonstrated when the Ministry assisted with the coordination of the 2024 Road to Paris Olympics, which was held on March 14, 2024.
She said that the event allowed for both countries to collaborate on having the symbolic baton being passed from country to country and for students studying French in schools across the island to participate in the relay event.
The students were also exposed to nontraditional sporting disciplines, such as Archery, Gymnastics and Taekwondo.
“Such a friendship in the international discourse supports an environment which both preserves and promotes the integrity of sports, reflects positive governance and allows for accessibility for all persons whose lives are impacted by sports,” minister Grange said.
In his remarks, ambassador Guyonvarch said that the MOU is a “comprehensive and ambitious” document signed to promote sports, education and science in sports.
He noted that the agreement will encourage cooperation in “organising big international sporting events”.
“We have great expectations with this MOU and we look to develop sports and science in sports, which is very important,” he said, adding that Jamaicans would be exposed to different sporting disciplines, such as Fencing, Judo and Rugby.
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