The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) highlighted the Jamaica Athletes’ Insurance Plan (JAIP) at the 10th annual staging of its Symposium. The event was held at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel, in Kingston on Thursday, January 25, 2024, under the theme,“Protecting Brand Jamaica Through Clean Sport”.
Participants at the symposium, included members of sporting associations and federations, professional groups, principals, coaches, sport administrators and athletes.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Culture, Gender Entertainment and Sport, The Honourable Olivia Grange said, “As Minister with responsibility for Sport, I am pleased to share with the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission and all its stakeholders once again at its annual symposium. This year is particularly special, as JADCO is celebrating its 15th anniversary, that is 15 years of promoting clean sport and protecting clean athletes in Jamaica and I wish you all could put your hands together and applaud JADCO for the way it has operated and what it has achieved so far.” She added, “Today it gives me great pleasure to announce that effective February 1, 2024, in addition, to the existing schedule of benefits, both under the group health and group life portfolio, athletes will now be able to access accidental medical reimbursement in the sum of $100,000.00 for injuries sustained on the field of play, or in a motor vehicle accident.”
The Jamaica Athletes’ Insurance Plan is the Government’s Group Health, Group Life and Personal Accident Plan for all eligible national athletes. Athletes eligible to be covered under the Plan must be a member in good standing with a national association or federation. They must be enrolled in the national development programme for a specific sporting discipline and they must participate in at least two Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission workshops per year.
Also speaking at the symposium, Chairperson of JADCO, Debby Ann Brown Salmon said, “I trust you will use the knowledge imparted to make informed decisions. I also implore you to continue working in harmony with the Commission in attaining the title of ‘Premier World Class Anti-Doping Organisation’.” She added, “The onus is not only on JADCO, but also athletes and support personnel to protect the integrity of sport and the health and rights of our athletes. Let us be guided by the theme, ‘Protecting Brand Jamaica Through Clean Sport’ in 2024 and beyond.”
Lavana Shorter, Public Relations and Marketing Manager, Portmore United Football Club said, “Education is key, as it relates to drugs in sport and I would like to encourage everyone that is associated with sport, administrators and athletes to take part in events such as these, because it is important that we know the stipulations and guidelines, as it relates to the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission.”
Dawn-Marie Richards, President of the Nurses Association of Jamaica said, “We, as a body, need to know what is happening with our athletes and for our athletes. Jamaica does well in terms of athletics and we would want to know that we are meeting the recommended criteria locally and internationally. For me, being here today was an eye opener. It is my first symposium, but it will not be my last. I see a role, especially for my organisation, where we can assist with testing and so on.”
The 2024 JADCO Symposium also included presentations on the functions and responsibilities of JADCO and the doping control process. The event has been held annually since January 2015 to facilitate continuous dialogue with athlete support personnel.
