Richard Bryan, Star Writer

Olympian Grace Jackson believes the development of sports must be among the primary options to tackle Jamaica's economic problems in the discussions and celebrations of its 50th anniversary.

"I speak from the point of view of athletics making me what I am today," said Jackson, who earned both a first degree and Masters in Computer Science from A&M University in the United States, by virtue of a track and field scholarship she initially gained while attending The Queens School in 1982.

"Sports has earned so much by way of marketing and tourism for the country, especially in the last 10 years, and I believe if we make sports a priority for the next 50 years and beyond, they (our politicians) wouldn't have to ask where the money (to solve our problems) will come from."

Jackson, who competed alongside other decorated compatriots as Merlene Ottey and Juliet Cuthbert, pointed to the country's current highest-profile athlete Usain Bolt's presence in the top 100 earners in sports and said the country had the talent to have many more persons in this elite grouping.

"Sports is big business, we have moved a lot, the paradigm has shifted but have we recognised that?," Jackson asked.

Jackson, whose crowning performance came at the 1988 Seoul Olympics where she earned a silver medal in a stellar 200m run, found further context for her appeal by claiming she disagreed with the well known adage, 'if it isn't broke, don't fix it'.

"That is not true of sports where change is constant and growth must happen. At 50, we must be asking the question what road must we take and are we ready to listen?"

international attention

Jackson said the nation's leaders must take their cue from a realis-ation that the country stands to benefit from unprecedented international attention this year from the Olympics.

The current head of sports administration at the University of West Indies, Mona, Jackson spoke in her capacity as guest speaker at an appreciation function for netballers and footballers who represent Jamalco, at its refinery in Clarendon.

She commended Jamalco for their role in sponsoring sports but challenged them to take their role further.

"The impact you make on people must not stay with you, you must spread this benefit to other companies, that is what will make the change for a far greater amount of people in this country."