Samuda Sets High Hopes for Commonwealth Games Regional Meeting
The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) President, Christopher Samuda, has expressed high expectations for the upcoming Commonwealth Games Regional Meeting in Turks and Caicos. He emphasized the need for tangible outcomes and a focus on sport development and inclusion.
Focus on Sport Development and Inclusion
As delegates from across the region prepare for the crucial meeting this week, Samuda made it clear that discussions must go beyond formalities and lead to concrete, actionable results. “Meetings must have realistic outcomes, and this is my expectation for our regional meeting in the Turks and Caicos,” Samuda stated.
He stressed the importance of sport development programs that are supported by solid investment to ensure their long-term sustainability. “Sport development programmes backed by solid investment financing to ensure sustainability must be the order of the day,” he added. According to Samuda, this will ensure that initiatives aren’t short-lived but have a lasting impact on the athletes and communities involved.
Technical Capacity Building
One of the key areas Samuda highlighted was the need for technical capacity building, which he insists must be a priority at the meeting. “Technical capacity building initiatives that begin with firm goal setting and end with a cohort of certified and qualified professionals with transferable knowledge to the next generation must be a non-negotiable item for discussion,” he said. He envisions a future where the region boasts a strong network of skilled professionals who can pass on their expertise to future generations, thereby creating a self-sustaining cycle of growth and development.
Unity and Collaboration
Samuda also called for greater unity and collaboration among the Commonwealth nations in the Caribbean. He believes that strengthening connectedness across the region can lead to more cohesive and successful sporting initiatives. “Greater connectedness and uniformity that lend to a more common identity and purpose that translates into viable collaborative games and tournament initiatives is important,” he remarked.
Para Sports
Bringing the conversation closer to home, the JOA President underscored the importance of enhancing the region’s approach to para sports, which have become integral to the modern Commonwealth Games. He hopes the meeting will spark meaningful discussions on how to improve inclusion and create specialized training programs for technical officials and coaches. “There will be conversations on para sports, which have been features of the modern games, and I hope these conversations will allow for greater dialogue on inclusion, training programmes for technical officials and coaches, as we close the knowledge gap between the able and the able with a difference,” Samuda said.
The Commonwealth Movement
As the Commonwealth movement strives to stay relevant to successive generations, Samuda believes the regional meeting must serve as a catalyst for reinvention. “The Commonwealth movement, as with others, has to continually reinvent to remain relevant to successive generations, and this regional meeting must commit to a renaissance in its purpose and deliverables,” he emphasized.
Youth Participation
In his closing remarks, Samuda championed the role of youth in shaping the future of the Commonwealth Games and the broader federation. He called for increased youth participation in governance and policymaking, noting that young people are the future custodians of the Games. “We have to give the youth a greater stake in governance and policymaking as they are tomorrow’s custodians of values and progress,” he concluded.
Conclusion
Samuda’s vision for the meeting is clear—strategic action, inclusion, and a focus on youth advocacy are key to ensuring the region’s sporting future.
FAQs
* What is the purpose of the Commonwealth Games Regional Meeting in Turks and Caicos?
– The meeting aims to foster strategic action, inclusion, and a focus on sport development and inclusion.
* What are the key areas of focus for the meeting?
– Sport development, technical capacity building, unity and collaboration, para sports, and the Commonwealth movement.
* What does Samuda hope to achieve through the meeting?
– Samuda hopes to encourage concrete, actionable results, and the development of strong, sustainable programs.
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