Elton Tucker, Assistant Sport Editor
Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke (centre), and Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sport, Portia Simpson Miller, cutting the ribbon at the official opening of the new offices of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) on Wednesday evening. The new offices are located at 9 Cunningham Avenue, Kingston 6. Looking on at left is president of the JOA, Mike Fennell. - CARLINGTON WILMOT/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
THE JAMAICA Olympic Association (JOA) unveiled its new offices to the public at an official opening ceremony on Wednesday evening.
Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke and Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sport Portia Simpson Miller, cut the ribbon to the door of the premises located at 9 Cunningham Avenue, Kingston 6 less that 200 metres to the north of the National Stadium Complex.
In congratulating the JOA on its new location, Sir Howard said Jamaica was indeed proud of the outstanding achievements of the Olympians at last year's Games in Athens.
"The world knows about Jamaica because of Bob Marley but long before Marley, Jamaicans knew about the great Olympians. So when I come to this function I come with a sense of pride and a sense of achievement," the governor-general said.
He added: "I have no doubt that this building will, as Kingston develops into a centre of tourism, become a tourist attraction as people will want to know where the inspiration comes from."
In giving an overview of events leading up to the construction of the building, president of the JOA, Mike Fennell, thanked the Government of Jamaica, which, through the Institute of Sports, had allowed the association to use an office at the National Arena for over 20 years.
GENEROSITY
"We thank the Government of Jamaica as this generosity must be acknowledged," Fennell said.
The full cost of the project was $20 million. The land was acquired for $5 million from the family of Col. Ken Barnes, current president of the Jamaica Boxing Board, while the cost of construction was $15 million.
"This dream has come true today because of a number of factors," president Fennell said.
"We have no fixed income and depend entirely on sponsorship and assistance through the Olympic movement. We have been able to achieve this by putting aside some funds for the past 15 years. We have saved and have prudently managed our resources so that today we can have this new office."
Fennell said the JOA also received a generous donation of US$50,000 (J$3.1 million) from the IOC. One of the features of Wednesday's function was a video greeting from International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge.
"The main features of the new offices are a training and seminar room which seats 35 persons and a library," Fennell added.
The JOA plans to have continuous training sessions for local administrators and coaches. He said the library was fairly small but the JOA hoped to 'enlarge' it through technology.
Among those present at yesterday's function were Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Desmond McKenzie, Shadow Minister for Sport, James Robertson, Bishop of Jamaica, Rev. Alfred Reid, Olympic 4x100m gold medallist Aleen Bailey and pioneer Olympian Dr. Cynthia Thompson.
The master of ceremonies was JOA first vice-president, Donald Anderson.
