It was another record-breaking year for the country’s sports- men and women:
• Jamaica became the first Caribbean country to qualify for the knock-out phase of the FIFA Women’s Football World Cup.
• They secured a 0-0 draw against Brazil during the 2023 edition, which was co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, to finish second behind France in their group and advance to the Round of 16.
Support for the Reggae Girlz
• An additional $20 million was budgeted for the Reggae Girlz World Cup campaign, $10 million of which was paid directly to members of the squad under the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport’s Athlete Assistance Programme.
Sunshine Girls Shone
• The Sunshine Girls copped Gold at the Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Games netball final in July, defeating Trinidad and Tobago 50-36.
• The team secured the Bronze Medal at the Netball World Cup in South Africa, where Jamaica defeated New Zealand 52-45 in the third place playoff.
• More than $6 million in direct payments were made to team members and their coaches as a token of appreciation.
BIG UP to the Reggae Girlz and Sunshine Girls
• The Ministry published two magazines – one each paying tribute to the teams. The magazines were presented to the members and published on the Ministry’s website- www.mcges.gov.jm.
IAAF World Athletics Championships
• Shericka Jackson won the women’s 200 metres at the meet in Budapest, Hungary, setting a 21.41-seconds championship record.
• Danielle Williams won the 100 metres hurdles final in a season’s personal best 12.43 seconds.
• Antonio Watson copped the men’s 400 metres gold Medal in 44.22 seconds.
• Jamaica placed fourth on the medals table with three gold, five silver and four bronze.
Anti-Doping Forum
• Jamaica hosted a WADA Forum for Ministers of Sport in the Caribbean, which was attended by the Agency’s President, Witold Bańka.
• The country secured a seat on WADA’s Foundation Board, which is the organisation’s highest decision-making body.
Sports Model Study Tour
• Jamaica hosted delegations from Trinidad and Tobago and South Africa, which conducted study tours of the country’s sports programme.