Jamaica launches ambitious movement to become ‘sports capital of the global south’

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Leaders from sport, business, tourism, government, investment, media, technology, education and athlete development will gather in Jamaica later this month for the inaugural Made4Goal Jamaica Global Sports Summit.The two-day event, which will be held at the University of Technology, Jamaica on June 29 and 30, is aimed at exploring how Jamaica can move beyond producing world-class athletes to building a world-class sports industry.In a release, organisers said the summit is being positioned as one of the most ambitious sports industry gatherings ever staged in Jamaica and forms part of a wider push to establish the country as the sports capital of the Global South.Organised by Absolut Ventures Limited, creators of the world's first and only televised freestyle football reality show, the summit will focus on opportunities at the intersection of sport, tourism, investment, technology, infrastructure, media, health and wellness, youth development and economic growth.Jamaica has already proven that we can compete with the best in the world, said Alrick McKenzie, founder and summit director of the Made4Goal Jamaica Global Sports Summit.The next step is building the systems, partnerships, investment opportunities, and infrastructure that allow sport to become a stronger economic driver for the country. This summit is about bringing the right people into the same room to have those conversations and create meaningful outcomes.Sports consultant, analyst and media officer Simon Preston said the summit represents a timely and necessary step in shaping a more structured future for Jamaica's sporting sector.Jamaica has an extraordinary sporting brand, but the opportunity now is to build a stronger ecosystem around that brand. We have almost 50 sporting disciplines on the island and this is the perfect opportunity for the different disciplines to come together, learn from each other and move forward for a better Jamaica.Jamaica is number eight in the world in lacrosse, number three in the world in netball and we have the fastest man and woman alive. These are certainly points that can be used to help other sporting disciplines reach their potential, said Preston.The Made4Goal Jamaica Global Sports Summit creates a platform for serious conversations around athlete pathways, investment, infrastructure, technology, governance, tourism and commercial development. If Jamaica is to fully maximise its global sporting influence, we must connect talent with opportunity, and this summit is designed to help lead that process.The summit will feature keynote presentations, fireside chats, panel discussions, workshops, networking opportunities and strategic conversations involving sporting associations, athletes, corporate leaders, investors, tourism executives, policymakers and educators.