JAAA renews Tottori partnership ahead of 2027 World Championships

The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has renewed its partnership with Japan’s Tottori Prefecture to host Jamaica’s training camp ahead of the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China.

JAAA President Garth Gayle, speaking at the signing ceremony earlier today at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, said the agreement represents more than just an opportunity to access quality training facilities.

He described the relationship with Tottori as a long-standing friendship built on mutual respect, cooperation and the belief that sport can strengthen ties between nations.

Jamaica previously camped in Tottori ahead of the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships.

“We are especially pleased that during this visit, we will sign again another agreement for the 2027 training camp in Tottori, leading into the Beijing World Championships in China,” Gayle said.

“Our relationship with Tottori has not been merely about the facilities of the training camp. It’s mainly about people. Every time we visit Japan, we feel as if we have returned to our hometown.”

Gayle is hopeful this agreement can strengthen relations between Jamaica, Tottori Prefecture and Japan.

“Jamaica may be a small island, but Tottori is a huge part of our lives. Tottori may be many thousand miles away, but athletics have created a bridge between us that distance cannot bridge,” Gayle said.

“We look forward to strengthening the relationship, the partnership in 2027, for many more years to come.”

The 2027 World Athletics Championships will take place in Beijing, China, from September 11 to September 19, 2027.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com

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