National Stadium track earns World Athletics class one rating as pension and integrity rows hit Parliament

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange has announced that the Jamaica National Stadium track has received class one facility certification from World Athletics, allowing records and qualifying performances there to be officially recognised.

Grange said synthetic surface field tests now meet World Athletics requirements, certifying the venue’s black, gold and green track. She added that talks are advanced on a proposed US$550 million partnership to redevelop Trelawny Stadium under the Government’s sports transformation programme in western Jamaica, aimed at creating a modern, internationally certified venue and strengthening sports tourism.

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information Senator Marilyn M. Morgan has urged graduating high school students to consider technical and vocational pathways through the HEART/NSTA Trust, noting that some households cannot afford university fees. Morgan said skills training and certification offer a strong route to employment, and that free tertiary-level programmes through the trust can take learners up to level five at no cost, equivalent to a first degree.

Pension reform dominated the House on Tuesday when St Catherine Eastern MP Denise Daly used her sectoral presentation to call for urgent change. Daly warned that too many Jamaicans retire into financial uncertainty and said pensions must be paid on time, backlogs cleared, and safeguards put in place against inflation.

"Months and even years pass. Meanwhile, pensioners are still left wondering how they will purchase medication or simply put food on their table," she told the House. "Madam Speaker, that is unacceptable. Retirement should not be become a period of financial uncertainty after a lifetime of faithful service."

Daly recommended that pension funds begin verification at least one year before retirement and that payments start immediately upon retirement. She also raised concern about seniors left behind by digital banking, saying many lack smartphones, internet access or digital literacy training.

House Speaker Juliet Holness ruled that the Integrity Commission’s eighth annual report would not be tabled during Tuesday’s sitting, saying she received the document only the day before and must review submissions before tabling. Opposition Leader Mark Golding objected, arguing the Integrity Commission Act requires reports to be tabled as soon as possible after receipt and that the Leader of Opposition Business was blocked from raising the matter. Former House Speaker Lloyd B. Smith said Holness may be correct on timing but urged that the report be tabled at the earliest opportunity given strong public interest.

In sport, Spain secured a 3-0 win over Austria on Thursday for their first knockout victory since the 2010 World Cup final, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring twice and Pedro Porro also on target. Spain advance to face Portugal on Monday in Dallas.

Norman Powell will rejoin Jamaica’s national basketball team for away World Cup qualifying games against the Bahamas starting Saturday and Canada on Sunday. Co-coach Rohan Robinson said training camp has gone well and the squad remains upbeat despite no NBA players being available for this window.