Sports: Recession-proof Industry

While the country has lost over 40,000 jobs since 2008 to the current economic crisis, Sports has proven to be one of the few recession proof industries across the globe. The global sporting industry spent US$52 billion in 2009 on sporting activities, an increase of US$2 billion over 2008.

Christine Gore, Tennis Jamaica’s Hon. Secretary believes this gives Jamaica a golden opportunity and an important economic lifeline with its undisputed athlete ability. Mrs. Gore, in a recent press briefing held at Tennis Jamaica’s Headquarters, noted that the United States is the largest sports market in the world and that based on Jamaica’s proximity we should be accessing that market much more effectively.

Tennis, the fastest growing traditional sport in the United States, offers competitions throughout the year with prizes as rich as US$4 million for players.

Additionally, Jamaica is the recipient of millions of US dollars in scholarship money that goes begging each year as not enough students take up the sport of tennis. The University Scholarships offer full tuition, books and housing for Jamaican students who qualify to study overseas while playing tennis.

During the press briefing, held on February 12th, the audience was then guided through a description of each tour and the prize money that each type of tournament offered. The ITF Junior Tour, which is available to juniors between the ages 11 and 18, comprises 358 events in 118 countries. Mrs. Gore pointed out that Jamaica only hosts one ITF Junior event in July each year and she again encouraged Jamaica to take a serious look at tennis in developing its sports tourism product.