The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, this morning opened the Sport Summit of the Americas taking place at the Iberostar Hotel in Montego Bay between April 23 and 24.

The Summit sees the General Assemblies of the Ibero-American Sports Council (CID), the Sport Council of the Americas (CADE) and the Central America and Caribbean Sport Council (CONCECADE). The Extraordinary Assembly of the South American Sport Council (CONSUDE) will also be convened.

Minister Grange said the annual Assemblies of these Councils provide an opportunity for ministers of sport to share best practices and matters relating to sport policy development and implementation.

Speaking at the General Assembly of the Ibero-American Sport Council this morning, Minister Grange said the body must be congratulated for the work that it has been doing to promote sport as a tool for development, health, inclusion, education and gender equality among member countries.

Minister Grange told delegates that sport was not just a pastime for Jamaica. “It is a source of national pride and a unifying force that brings our people together. We are proud not just of our achievements on the field of play but also in policy development and innovative programmes to protect our good legacy in sport.”

The Extraordinary Assembly of CONSUDE and the General Assembly of CONCECADE will take place this afternoon.