Jamaica / Sport

Jamaica caters well for anyone who would like to enjoy sports action while they are on holiday, particularly if you go to one of the larger hotels or resorts. These will have all the equipment you need for watersports (kayaks, windsurfers and small sailing boats etc) and then some land based sports too, including tennis, even squash in some cases. Outside the hotels, the island has some of the best golf in the Caribbean, with around a dozen courses, and then there are horse-riding, mountain biking and even opportunities for hiking in the mountains. There are also races in which you can take part, including marathons and half marathons, for instance in Negril, and a couple of triathlons.

The Jamaicans themselves are passionate sports fans and it can be fun to attend sports events on the island as a spectator, for instance the cricket - Sabina Park in Kingston is one of the Caribbean test grounds. They also enjoy horse racing. And latterly, since the Reggae Boyz qualified for the World Cup in 1998, there has been an increase in interest in football.

The Minister of Tourism for Jamaica tells Jane Anderson how Jamaica has 7 of the top 10 sprinters in the world and invites visitors and investors alike to come to Jamaica and experience their excellent facilities for soccer, netball, golf, tennis and more.

Cricket

Please see our Special Interest - Cricket section.

Football

Since Jamaica qualified for the World Cup in 1998 with the team nicknamed the Reggae Boyz, interest in football has increased. Interestingly, the sport has a long history in Jamaica, with the first club apparently founded as far back as 1893 and their first international outing to Haiti in 1925. The JFF was formed in 1965 and now organises major national competitions such as the Craven "A" Premier and National "A" leagues, which each have twelve clubs. The football season starts in October and finishes in April. International and main football fixtures are played at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Golf

Please see our Special Interest - Golf section.

Health & Fitness

The majority of large resorts and hotels have their own fitness rooms or gyms which are normally reserved for guest use only. Day passes can also be purchased for many of the all-inclusive resorts, which will include use of fitness facilities, however may not cover specific classes, for instance yoga. If you are travelling independently, or are staying in a hotel without facilities, there are gyms in the various resort towns and of course in Kingston.

Hiking

Please see our Special Interest - Hiking section.

Horse Racing

Caymanas Park, Portmore - Along with Barbados and Trinidad, horse racing in Jamaica is a well established and popular sport. The racetrack is located in west Kingston and there are around 80 days of racing throughout the year. Races are held every Saturday, on Public Holidays and at least twice a month on a Wednesday.

Rugby

There are currently 10 rugby clubs in Jamaica. The Jamaica Rugby Union was founded in 1946 and the island has been a member of the International Rugby Board since 1996.

Sailing

Please see our Special Interest - Sailing & Regattas section.

Scuba Diving

Please see our Special Interest - Scuba section.

Tennis

Most larger hotels and the big resorts have their own tennis courts, and many of these are floodlit to enable you to play in the cool of the evening. Also a good many private villas also have tennis courts nowadays or, as with hotels that do not have one, can make arrangements nearby. Tennis is played island wide, and the former Jamaica Lawn Tennis Association, which was formed in 1907, is now known as Tennis Jamaica. The island’s major matches are played at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre in Kingston.

Watersports

Please see our Beach Life - Watersports section.

Contributors: Deana Bellamy (research)