Much will be expected of JAAA supported athletes

Photo: President of the Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association (JAAA) Dr. Warren Blake

It may not be a multi-billion dollar endorsement deal or any dream contract, but the newly established monthly monetary support is a well appreciated incentive for those athletes in preparation mood for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil.

The government and the Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association ( JAAA) have kept true to their promises, by making their first set of payments on Friday of last week to the select group of national athletes.

The payments were reportedly made via cheques to both local and foreign based athletes. President of the JAAA, Dr Warren Blake speaking to the Jamaica Observer revealed that the cheques dispatched amounted to nearly $3.9 million and was prepared for 80 selected athletes.

He was quoted as saying, “The programme is definitely up and running and this will go a far way towards helping the athletes. If the Government had not put in the support, it wouldn’t happen and for that additional support we are grateful.”

“Its not a grant fund program, but was an initiative put forward by the Jamaican government and JAAA to aid the athletes cry. It was designed to provide financial assistance for track and field sportsmen and women towards the cost of their preparation leading up major athletics championships. This venture came on the heels of the revelation of the plight of several national representatives at the Beijing World championship in August.

The 80 selected athletes have been drafted into two groups — tiers one and two.

According to Dr. Blake Tier one athletes are those who are ready for competition and have reached Olympic and World Championships standards. That group at present moment has 50 athletes, excluding the top earners above US 40,000 yearly.

That top tier will receive $60,000 monthly.

The remaining 30 athletes fall in tier two , who the JAAA believes with help and attention, they can make the transition and reach world standards. They will each receive $30,000 per month.

This new venture will require the selected athletes, to abide by certain guidelines and JAAA stipulations.

These will include;

Athletes signing to adhere to a code of conduct and will also have to make themselves available for JAAA’s events.

Maintain representation for the country in a particular time period of funding

They are also expected to make themselves available for team selection and mandatory team camps for national representation.

The president also revealed that supported athletes must provide training updates on a quarterly basis, involving physical conditioning and injury status. It was also noted that the list of supported athletes will be analyzed and adjusted on a yearly basis.