The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has officially renewed its partnership with global sportswear giant Puma, securing a deal that it claims surpasses an offer of approximately USD $6 million annually from rival Adidas. The announcement was made during the JAAA's Annual General Meeting on Saturday, November 23, 2024. However, the JAAA did not reveal any details regarding the new deal.
JAAA President Garth Gayle expressed gratitude for Puma’s unwavering support, particularly during the challenging pandemic years. “Puma has been an invaluable partner, supporting grassroots initiatives, high school programs, and major national events like the Boys and Girls Championships and the Gibson Relays,” Gayle noted. “Their commitment far exceeds that of their competitors, ensuring we can continue to deliver excellence in athletics.” This renewed sponsorship, Gayle emphasized, will bolster the JAAA’s efforts to sustain Jamaica’s dominance on the global stage while fostering talent development at home.
In addition to the sponsorship announcement, the AGM saw the unopposed return of the JAAA executive, including Gayle as president. However, some changes were made to the team, reflecting a focus on inclusivity and modernization. Gayle reiterated the association's commitment to increasing athlete involvement in its operations by establishing sub-committees that accommodate their training and competition schedules. "We share the concern of those who ask for more participation by our athletes and are addressing this with structured opportunities for involvement," Gayle said.
Gayle used the platform to advocate for greater collaboration between the JAAA and the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA). He urged the Minister of Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, to convene a joint meeting in the new year, emphasizing the importance of unity in advancing Jamaican sports. "The ‘Jamaica’ in the names of both associations reminds us that we serve under one flag with the development and opportunities for our athletes and sportspersons our shared commitment," Gayle stated.
Reflecting on 2024, Gayle highlighted significant milestones, including the hosting of key local events such as the JAAA/Puma Development Meet and the Jamaica National Junior & Senior Championships. Jamaican athletes also shone on the international stage, competing in six major competitions, including the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow and the Paris Olympics. While acknowledging challenges, Gayle celebrated the resilience and dedication of athletes and coaches. The JAAA also saluted its technical teams, volunteers, and stakeholders for their contributions, including Doctors Bruce and Blake for their work with the Athletes Integrity Unit and the Anti-Doping Commission.
As the JAAA looks to the future, Gayle emphasized the importance of stakeholder collaboration to build on Jamaica’s track and field legacy. He expressed optimism about upcoming initiatives, including enhanced coaching development and expanded competition opportunities at the regional and international levels.
In closing, Gayle led a moment of silence to honor members of the track and field community who passed away over the past year, affirming the JAAA’s commitment to their legacy and to fostering an environment where athletes can thrive. With the renewed Puma sponsorship, the unopposed return of the executive, and a unified vision for the future, the JAAA is well-positioned to continue driving the success of Jamaican athletics.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
T&T Olympian Khalifa St Fort announces engagement
Two-time Olympian and Trinidad and Tobago track star Khalifa St Fort has announced her engagement, sharing the joyful news on social media on Sunday. The 26-year-old sprinter, who represented her country at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics in 2021, shared a heartfelt post celebrating her upcoming union.
"God writes the best love stories, and ours is my favorite. ‘I have found the one whom my soul loves’ Song of Solomon 3:4," she wrote. "I can’t wait to spend forever with you. You truly are my answered prayer. I love you now and always. ?"
St Fort, known for her electrifying performances on the track, also holds a silver medal from the 2018 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Colombia and was a key member of Trinidad and Tobago's 4x100m relay team that won bronze at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing. She is also a two-time World U20 medalist, underlining her pedigree as one of the Caribbean's premier sprinting talents.
However, the sprinter has largely stepped away from competition in recent years, focusing on her education and other personal endeavors. Her last recorded competitive appearances were in May 2022.
The announcement has been met with an outpouring of congratulations from fans and fellow athletes, celebrating the new chapter in the life of one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most accomplished athletes.
Dates announced for the 2027 Pan American Games
The 2027 Pan American Games, the continent's premier multi-sport event, will take place in Lima, Peru, from July 16 to August 1, 2027, according to an announcement from the Executive Board of Panam Sports. The dates were confirmed in a letter to Federico Tong, President of the Peruvian Sports Institute, following a meeting held last week in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
The Peruvian government presented three possible date options—May, July, and September—for hosting the Games. After thorough deliberation, the Panam Sports Executive Board selected the July timeframe, citing its alignment with the availability of the continent’s top athletes.
“There were several factors to consider before determining the best date for the Games," said Neven Ilic, President of Panam Sports. "The proposals were analyzed, and finally, the entire Executive Board decided that it would be best to hold them in the month of July for several reasons. Perhaps the most important is that on that date we will be able to have the best athletes of the continent participating in Lima.”
This will mark the second time Lima hosts the Pan American Games, following its successful debut as host city in 2019. The Peruvian capital joins an elite group of cities to host the event twice, alongside Mexico City (1955, 1975) and Winnipeg (1967, 1999).
The Pan American Games is one of the world’s largest multi-sport events, featuring athletes from across the Americas competing in a diverse range of disciplines. The announcement of the 2027 dates sets the stage for another memorable celebration of sport and culture in Lima.
Shaquille Stein's lone strike gifts Ja's Cavalier 1-0 advantage over Dom Rep's Cibao in Caribbean Cup final
Cavalier FC took a crucial step toward their first-ever Concacaf Caribbean Cup title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Dominican Republic’s Cibao FC in the first leg of the final at the National Stadium on Tuesday.
A 20th-minute strike from Suriname-born Shaquille Stein proved decisive in a match where both goalkeepers stole the spotlight.
The win means Cavalier, contesting their second-consecutive Caribbean Cup final, will take an important advantage into next Tuesday’s second leg, which will be played in Cibao’s backyard at Santiago de los Caballeros.
With the away-goals rule in effect, Cavalier’s priority will be to keep things tight defensively while seeking opportunities to extend their aggregate lead, something Head coach Rudolph Speid knows all too well.
“There were a number of objectives that we had, and one of them was not to concede because of the away-goal rule, and we achieved that,” Speid said at a post-game press conference.
“The other one was to try to get a lead. We didn't get as big a lead as we would have wanted, but I would take what happened today (Tuesday) anytime over any other score," he added
Stein, Cavalier’s leading scorer and Golden Boot frontrunner, continued his dazzling form with his eighth goal of the campaign.
Dwayne Atkinson orchestrated the move, slicing through Cibao’s defence with a perfectly weighted through ball, which Stein latched onto with precision, firing past Cibao’s experienced custodian Miguel Lloyd.
Despite taking the lead, Cavalier couldn’t find the comfort of a second goal. Jalmaro Calvin came close in the 67th minute with a sharp effort from the edge of the box, only for Lloyd to make an acrobatic save and keep the visitors in contention.
Lloyd denied Stein a brace in the 72nd minute, sliding in expertly to block the Cavalier striker’s attempt after another swift counterattack.
The Cibao custodian finished the game with four saves, standing tall in several key moments.
Cibao, though held scoreless, came alive in the closing stages as Rivaldo Correa’s header off a corner in the 85th minute seemed destined to level the match, but Cavalier’s goalkeeper Vino Barclett punched it away with authority.
Moments later, Juan Díaz’s wickedly curling corner nearly caught Barclett, who finished with eight saves, off guard, but Calvin was well positioned to head it to safety.
Cavalier had one last chance to double their advantage in stoppage time when Calvin rose to meet a cross with a powerful header, but Lloyd produced yet another brilliant save to ensure the margin remained just one goal heading into the second leg.
Much like Cavalier, Cibao will look to capitalize on their home-field advantage to possibly overturn the deficit and get their hands on the coveted title as well as a spot in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16.
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