The ground-breaking ceremony of the Sligoville Sports Complex was held in Sligoville, Jamaica on March 15, 2006. The Complex, to be built by China Shanxi Engineering Group with a grant of US$ 3 million provided by the Chinese Government, will serve the local people not only as a world standard training base, but also a catering and sporting venue for both students and residents. As the first multi-purpose complex in the Parish of St. Catherine, it will also become a new community center, enhance the local tourism industry, provide more job opportunities, and help Sligoville to serve its residents better.

 

H. E. Mr. Zhao Zhenyu, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Jamaica and the Honourable K. D. Knight, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica joined their hands in shovelling the first spadeful of soil for the project, which marked the formal commencement of the construction of the project. Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, Minister of National Security, Dr. the Hon. Donald Buchanan, Minister of Water and Housing, the Hon. Phillip Paulwell, Minister of Commerce, Science and Technology, Rev. the Hon. Sophia Elias Azan, Custos Rotulorum of St. Catherine, Mr. Hao Yongjiang, councillor for economic and commercial affairs of the Embassy and representatives of China Shanxi Engineering Group attended the ceremony.

 

To build a multi-purpose stadium in his constituency has long been the wish of Minister Knight. As the wish is going to come true, Minister Knight seemed to be very excited when he delivered a fully emotional speech at the ceremony. Minister Knight thanked the Chinese Government and Ambassador Zhao in particular for the generous help China had offered for this project, saying the Sports Complex would be the best gift from the Chinese Government and the Chinese people to the Jamaican People who cherish sports at the bottom of their hearts.

Ambassador Zhao also delivered a speech at the ceremony. After briefing the audience on how the Chinese Government decided to help the Jamaican Government with the designing and construction of this project when it was approached by Minister Knight in early 2003,

 

Ambassador Zhao reaffirmed China's determination to further promote the exchanges and cooperation in all fields including sports with Jamaica. He said that the Sports Complex is not only a cooperative project between China and Jamaica, but also a good indication of the genuine friendship and sound relationship between the two countries. He thanked Minister Knight for all his efforts in further stregthening Sino-Jamaican relationship as the Foreign Minister of Jamaica. Ambassador Zhao also reassured the audience that, with special significance attached to the project by both the Chinese Government and China Shanxi Engineering Group, a beautiful and world-class sports complex will be handed over to the Jamaican side on schedule.

Ministers attending the ceremony also made remarks at the ceremony and viewed the project design for the sports complex with Ambassador Zhao and Minister Knight. They agreed that the high standard of professionalism of Shanxi Engineering Group shown through the designing promised a successful project. They are looking forward to the completion of Sligoville Sports Complex at an early date.

 

Several hundreds representatives from the local community and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade attended the ceremony. The event was fully covered by TVJ and other major media of Jamaica.