MoE to assist with mandetory screening of student athletes

The Ministry of Education will step in to assist with a policy for mandatory screening of student athletes. This comes in the wake of two tragic incidents this year, the latest coming last Friday, when Spot Valley High student Seymar Ramsay collapsed and died following an ISSA Under-19 basketball game against Cornwall College.

St George’s college player Dominic James also collapsed and died in September during the ISSA Flow Manning Cup contest.

With the aim to minimise the risk of such occurrences, Education Minister Ruel Reid says discussions have already started.

“At our regular meeting yesterday (Tuesday) with the JTA (Jamaica Teachers Association) we agreed to promote the policy of mandatory screening of athletes and will be seeking a meeting shortly with ISSA and other school administrators at a date to be convened to give effect to the mandatory policy of screening which is already in our safety and security policy manual,” said Senator Reid.

Earlier this week, ISSA President Dr Walton Small said high school sports governing body would be moving quickly to identify funding to implement rigorous testing of student athletes.