History created at G.C. Foster College

Jamaica can benefit from its sporting achievements if properly marketed as "sports is Jamaica's greatest commodity,” according to Dr. Hume Johnson (author, broadcast journalist, professor and founder of the Re-Imagine Jamaica Project), keynote speaker at the G.C. Foster College inaugural symposium held last week at the institution. Dr. Johnson commended the institution in the opening of the museum and said she hopes the Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Sport will follow the trend. She made particular reference to the Beijing Olympics, the 2008 Games that triggered the huge track and field successes that the nation now enjoys. She also referred to the country's sporting prowess as "our soft power", as our sports accounts for our national pride. She asked the questions, “How can we use soft power to push through sports? Is Jamaica a powerful country? Dr. Johnson also stated that, “We should take an idea and makes it a reality. It is now time for G.C. Foster to wake up, tell the story and stop being quiet about its legacy.” Carole Beckford, sport devotee and G. C. Foster College Lecturer and Olympic Coach, Maurice Wilson were among the presenters. Ms. Beckford presented on the topic “Branding Jamaica through Sport – The Prospects for economic Transformation (Growth and Investment). She stated that, “Each one plays a vital part in sport whether you are the driver that transports the athletes or the security guards that look out for the athletes’ safety.” She added that Jamaica should target countries such as Brazil, Russia, China and India to bring revenues to the development of sport in the island. Maurice Wilson delivers on the topic “Unlocking the Secrets to Jamaica’s Sprint Success”. He started off by giving a brief history of the man G.C. Foster himself, who tried to represent Jamaica in the 1908 at the Olympic. Mr. Wilson declares that the advantage of training in Jamaica and the key to our athletes’ success are based upon: climate, nutrition, camaraderie, family support, coaches and various competitions that started at the primary level. The theme for the symposium was “Preserving and Celebrating Jamaica’s Sport Heritage: Challenges and Opportunities.”