KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC– Jamaica says it is no longer interested in hosting the IAAF World Junior Championships in 2016, citing financial difficulties imposed on the country by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association’s (JAAA) president Dr. Warren Blake announced on Tuesday that the country has decided against submitting a bid after signaling its intention to do so.
Jamaica last hosted the World Junior Championships in 2002 “It requires in excess of US$10 million (approximately J$1billion). The Government would have to issue a bond to cover that amount and with the IMF constraints it really was a non-starter,” said the JAAA president.
“It was really a preliminary wish of the association but after further discussions we decided not to put in a bid.”
The Russian city of Kazan was originally set to host the 2016 World Junior Championships.
