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SVL Chairman Gary Peart Backs JOA-Racers Initiative, Calls It Long Overdue Step Toward Sporting Harmony
Written by Leighton Levy. Posted in Athletics. | 11 July 2025 | 481 Views
Tags: Gary Peart, Joa, Racers Grand Prix

Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) Gary Peart has given a strong endorsement of the Jamaica Olympic Association’s (JOA) Olympic Invest partnership with Racers Grand Prix, describing the initiative as a long-overdue step toward real alignment in Jamaican sport.

Peart, who also sits on the JOA’s Board of Directors, was speaking with Sportsmax.TV at the conclusion of Thursday’s press conference at JOA headquarters in Kingston, where the programme was officially launched. The initiative, backed by a JMD$5 million investment from the JOA, will benefit more than 18 athletes over the next three years and runs through to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

“This opportunity—I think it’s huge,” Peart said. “What was mentioned here is really a building block. It should have already been in place decades ago, but no time like the present. You have one of the two apex clubs in the country—Racers—and it sends a very good signal to see one of the overarching bodies going straight to the head of the river.”

Peart’s backing carries significant influence. As Chairman of SVL, a corporate powerhouse whose gaming revenues channel more than J$2 billion annually into the Government of Jamaica’s C.H.A.S.E Fund—which supports health, arts, sports and education—his endorsement signals that the country’s major private sector players see value in investing not just in elite talent, but in institutional partnerships that can uplift the entire sporting ecosystem.

“The biggest thing I heard today is that they’re seeking out other collaborators,” Peart added. “If we can bring that harmony back between all the associations, all the clubs, and more importantly, all the athletes—it’s only beneficial for the country.”

When asked whether he saw any early challenges with the programme, Peart remained optimistic. “There may be gaps, but I think once we get to that point, we fix those gaps and we just continue making it better. The fact that it’s being recognised now is huge. The fact that two major stakeholders are coming together and hashing it out is great.”

The Olympic Invest initiative is designed to drive athlete development, technical training, and coaching support through advanced tools like the Dartfish video analysis platform, which allows for biomechanical and tactical evaluation of performances. Racers Track Club will lead implementation on the ground.

With Peart’s endorsement, the initiative gains added momentum from Jamaica’s corporate leadership. And with SVL’s long-standing role in supporting sports through C.H.A.S.E., his comments reflect growing confidence that strategic collaboration between governing bodies, elite clubs, and private backers can be the foundation for sustained sporting excellence.