Come Rio 2016 at the next Paralympic Games, the Jamaica Paralympic Association (JPA) hopes it will have representatives in more than just track and field, but in as many sporting disciplines as possible.
That was the stated view of Christopher Samuda, president of the JPA, during a meeting with Jamaica’s High Commissioner to London Aloun N’dombet-Assamba, at the Jamaican High Commission’s Prince Consort Street offices in South West London yesterday.
Paralympian Tanto Campbell (back, left) affixes a Jamaican pin onto Jamaica’s High Commissioner to London, Aloun N’dombet-Assamba, at the Jamaican High Commission’s Prince Consort Street offices in South West London yesterday. Looking on (from left) are coach Neville Sinclair; athlete Alphonso Cunningham; JPA president Christopher Samuda, and athlete Sylvia Grant. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)
The three members of the Jamaican team — Tanto Campbell, Alphonso Cunningham and Sylvia Grant — were on hand to meet the High Commissioner.
Campbell, the team captain who will carry the Jamaican flag at the Opening Ceremony, officially presented the High Commissioner with a Jamaican Paralympic Games pin.
Echoing a concern stated by Jamaica Olympic Association’s (JOA) president, Mike Fennell just over a week ago that Jamaica should have been represented in more than four sporting disciplines at the recent Olympic Games in London, Samuda said they would be starting a drive to attract others in Jamaica into sports such as swimming, fencing, pistol shooting and archery for disabled persons.
Samuda also asked the High Commissioner for whatever assistance they could provide in securing funds and raising awareness of Paralympic sports in the island.
The entire delegation will return to London today when the athletes and Games officials will move into the Athletes Village in Stratford, east London to continue preparation for the Games that begin on August 29.
Source: The Jamaica Observer
