Beijing, China – Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, has stressed the importance of her Ministry lending support to the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism in Beijing, as the Government seeks to maximise the opportunities for Brand Jamaica, at the 2008 Olympics, now being held in the Chinese capital.
Speaking with Jamaican journalists in Beijing this week, at the Jamaica business lounge, set up at the Westin Hotel, Minister Grange said at this point, all eyes are on Jamaica.
“For me, and the country, this is a special moment in time,” she remarked. She expressed satisfaction with the level of camaraderie amongst athletes at the 29th Olympiad, and noted that there would be post-Olympics special events, details of which are to be announced later.
Speaking to the development of sports in Jamaica, Miss Grange said that the regulations for the anti-doping in sports legislation have just been finalised, and that the next major move is an upcoming United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) conference themed: ‘Sports for Peace and Development.’
The Minister explained that the conference would focus on clear guidelines as to how sports policy should be developed. She stressed that this is very important to Jamaica, as sports not only create social unity, but could be used as a tool to keep the country on its feet for whatever opportunities might arise.
