Athletes receive funding under Government's Athletes Assistance Programme

The Government of Jamaica has shelled out nearly $12 million to 145 athletes under its Athletes Assistance Programme. The information is contained in a document obtained by Radio Jamaica Sports. Earlier this year the Government through the Sports Ministry announced that it would help the nation's athletes who had already qualified for or were on the verge of qualifying for the Olympic Games in their respective sports.

But when the 2020 Games were postponed to 2021 Sports Minister Olivia Grange said athletes would be paid for the month of March after which the programme would be suspended. The list of the 145 athletes from eight sporting associations were obtained by Radio Jamaica Sports under the Access to Information Act.

As expected track and field received the lion's share of the assistance with 99 athletes receiving the one time payout of $80,000 each. The list includes Olympic and world champions as well as those emerging as athletes to watch after showing good performances prior to Covid 19 forcing the postponement, cancellation or suspension of sports worldwide.

The Jamaica Rugby Union with two teams in the running to make their debut at the Olympic Games also benefitted from the Athletes Assistance Programme with members of 15-man and 13-woman teams receiving payments.

Five athletes registered under the Aquatic Sports Association of Jamaica, four boxers and three gymnasts were also recipients. The list of beneficiaries is completed by three athletes from the Jamaica Karate Federation, two from the Jamaica Table Tennis Association and one from the Jamaica Canoeing Federation.

The ministry is also expected to assist the nation's paralympians. In a TVJ Sports Town Hall last month, the Sports Minister also revealed that her ministry is prepared to consider ways athletes could benefit under the Government's Covid19 Care Programme to assist Jamaicans who have lost earnings as the country battles the pandemic.