Rename Trelawny stadium in honour of Bolt, Shelly-Ann - Grange

Opposition spokeswoman on Sports Olivia 'Babsy' Grange is urging the Government to rename the stadium in Trelawny in honour of Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce as part of a programme to maximise the economic and social benefits which will accrue from their exceptional achievements and global dominance of the sport.

In her tribute to the women's and men's gold-medal winning 4x100m relay teams yesterday, Grange argued: "After seven years of global ascendancy, our athletes deserve a proper monument which will help to enshrine this moment in our history and remind future generations of the glory which has resulted."

According to Grange, the Government should recognise the stadium in Trelawny as the centre of sports tourism development in Jamaica.

"It has long been a white elephant, but has great potential once retrofitted with proper sporting facilities such as a track of international standards, a basketball court and baseball diamond, as well as a proper dressing room.

"A surrounding housing development/athletes' village appropriate for international athletes would also go a far way in growing Jamaica's sports-tourism appeal, not just within the Caribbean but across the world."

The opposition spokeswoman added that it is time to refurbish and redevelop previous monu-ments to Jamaica's Olympians.

"Olympic Gardens in Kingston was developed in honour of the pioneers of the sport, including Herb McKenley and Arthur Wint, the men who laid the foundation for Jamaica's distinguished place in world athletics. This deserves more attention from both the sport and tourism portfolios, considering its historical value.

"Let us show our athletes, their coaches and support staff that not only do we fully appreciate their success, but that we are determined to use this success to construct a platform on which we can build a better economy and create a better social environment for our people by properly utilising our rich and unbridled talent."