Samuda hails Jamaican Parapan Am Games efforts

Jamaica Paralympic Association President Christopher Samuda, has lauded the medallists at the recently concluded Para Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.

Samuda said the Paralympic athletics’ performances made him proud because they showed what he describes as “heart and mettle” in earning their medals.

“For some, history was not only made, but written as a testimony to the attributes that make a champion and standard-bearer,” he said.

Samuda says Theodor Subba, who took up judo nine months ago, mined a bronze medal in the over 100kg class and was an admirable example of courage and determination. He says Chadwick Campbell, who earned the silver medal in the men T13 100m, underscored his credentials on the regional stage.

Santana Campbell, in securing the silver medal in the women’s F56 javelin, became the regional record holder in her class, and in tae kwon do, Shauna-Kay Hines achieve the bronze medal in the K 44 – under 58kg class. Samuda describes Hines’ performance as “valiant”.

“Our earning medals in sports other than track and field is a clear indication that para sports in Jamaica are growing and I look forward to the advent of para ­volleyball, badminton, table tennis and rowing, which are now being pursued, on the regional and world stages. Our athletes are Jamaica’s beat and we will be, in the near future, the world’s rhythm.”

The Jamaica Paralympic Association is the governing body for para sports in Jamaica and is a member of the regional umbrella body, the Americas Paralympic Committee, as well as the world governing body, the International Paralympic Committee.