Wavell Hinds calls for national sports policy to guide recognition of sporting legends
/ Our Today
administrator
Member of Parliament-elect for North Clarendon, Wavell Hinds, is calling on the sports minister to establish a comprehensive national sports policy to ensure a fair and transparent system for honouring Jamaica’s sporting icons, including criteria for statues and other national tributes.
Hinds noted that the recent passing of football legend Allan ‘Skill’ Cole has highlighted the urgent need for such a policy. “The recent loss of Allan ‘Skill’ Cole reminds us of the importance of recognising our sporting greats while they are alive,” Hinds said. “His contribution to football and to Jamaica’s cultural identity is undeniable, yet his legacy was not marked with the kind of national honour that his talent and impact truly merited. We must learn from this moment.”
Hinds, a former West Indies cricketer, emphasised that recognition should not be ad hoc or personality-driven, but guided by a structured framework that values contribution across all disciplines. “Courtney Walsh, one of the greatest bowlers in world cricket and a proud Jamaican, is another example of a legend whose impact deserves a statue at the National Stadium or Sabina Park. These decisions should not be left to chance or sporadic initiatives. A sports policy must outline clear criteria and a process for how we celebrate those who lift our flag high on the global stage,” he added.
The North Clarendon MP-elect stressed that such recognition is not just about honouring the past but inspiring the future. “Our children and youth must see that when Jamaicans achieve excellence through discipline, dedication, and service to country. The nation will celebrate them in a meaningful and lasting way. This is how we build pride and strengthen national identity,” Hinds said.
He also called for inclusive stakeholder engagement, involving athletes, sports associations, historians, and the public, to create a framework that reflects Jamaica’s values and collective will. “As we reflect on the life and legacy of Allan ‘Skill’Cole, let us commit ourselves to creating a transparent and lasting policy that ensures no legend goes unrecognised. Our heroes deserve nothing less,” Hinds concluded
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