THE EDITOR, Sir:

A LOT of people have been calling for the prime minister to give a public holiday in response to the success of Jamaica's 2008 Beijing Olympians. I say 'No!'

I cannot tell of another country that has as many holidays as we do. We don't need another. Each time that I hear people calling for more holidays I get a bit annoyed, because it sends a message of non-productivity, of which too much already exists.

I would urge and encourage the Government, corporate Jamaica, JAAA and all Jamaicans to join forces to establish a sports academy, right here in Jamaica. Let the world come to us!

This sports academy would represent all sport disciplines with all required professionals, such as financiers, money management experts, trainers, coaches, masseuses, psychologists, dietitians, orthopaedic surgeons, lawyers, managers, agents, etc. (Professionals, don't start thinking about the big bucks just yet, because a lot of volunteerism may just have to be in place to get this started.)

Youth-focused programmes

We could have 'sub-academies' at the community/parish levels, where the youth are brought into the programme with training and competition at the local and national levels; get them to understand their responsibilities in making a better community and, to a greater extent, a better Jamaica. Put in place age-specific programmes. Let them know that this is not a handout; they must work and achieve academic success up to the secondary level. At this stage, no one would leave school without being able to read or write. From this level, they are then recruited into the programme at the tertiary level (incorporate MVP Track Club and all the local universities here). Revive G.C. Foster College to its full potential. No one person or institution can do this. We must be a team.

Reward system

This academy should also be a point of contact for all members. We follow them everywhere they go, through their successes, failures, injuries and retirement. Put a reward system in place and a retirement plan; the process is ongoing. They live and work here, contributing to Jamaica on a broader scale. If they have to leave, entice them to return, giving back to them as they have given to us - it is a two-way street.

When certain things happen here, there are calls for an enquiry or a commission to be put in place almost immediately. Well, let's get a sports commission going now on this. Start the research while this Olympic success is still fresh in our minds. Can we emulate anything from the Cricket Academy in Grenada? Get help if we must.

I am, etc.,

NORMA M. BURTON

Administrative Manager

Dryclean-JA Limited

(Operators of Dryclean USA in Jamaica)

11 Courtney Walsh Drive

Kingston 10