Jamaica's hosting of the Eighth British Empire and Commonwealth Games  in 1966, marked a significant moment of national pride and international recognition. At a gathering in the National Stadium, Governor General Sir Clifford Campbell, Acting Prime Minister Hon. Donald Sangster, Minister of Development and Welfare Hon. Edward Seaga, and K.S.A.C. Commissioner Mr. Eustace Bird emphasised the importance of community effort and support for the Games. The event featured prayers from prominent religious leaders and musical performances, highlighting the collective spirit of the nation.

Published Monday, July 26,1965

Thousands at National Stadium ceremony

G-G urges islandwide backing for Games

Civic and religious leaders were joined by a cross section of people from all over the island at the National Stadium yesterday afternoon to pray for the success of the Eighth British Empire and Commonwealth Games to be held in Kingston from August 4 to 13, 1966.

Prominent among those attending the ceremony were His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Clifford Campbell, who read his message sent around the island urging support; the Acting Prime Minister the Hon. Donald Sangster; the Minister of Development and Welfare, Hon. Edward Seaga; and the Commissioner of the K.S.A.C.; Mr. Eustace Bird.

Prayers were led by Archedeacon E. L. Maxwell of the Anglican Diocese, Monsignor Gladstone Wilson of the Roman Catholic Church, the Rev. Hugh Sherlock of the Jamaica Council of Churches, and Rabbi Bernard Hooker of the Jewish Community.

Highlights of the proceedings were the singing, by a 600-strong mass choir, of the “Hallelujah” Chorus from Handel’s “Messiah” under the baton of Mr. James Verity; renditions by the Wood-stock Citadel Salvation band from Canada; and selections by the Band of the 1st Battalion, The Jamaica Regiment, conducted by Capt E.R. Wade.

Reading his message, the Governor-General said: “In order to create the widest possible interest in the Eighth British Empire and Commonwealth Games to be held in Kingston from 4th to 13th August 1966, the organisers of these Games in Jamaica have thought out this excellent plan of sending youth club runners throughout Jamaica in a relay race.

“I am pleased to have sent this message through the hands of nearly 600 of the youth of our country, and I hope that it will have the desired effect of making the Games known to every man, woman, and child in Jamaica.

"It is a great honour for our small country to have been awarded these Games, and it is up to everyone of us to see that they are a success and that our guests, coming as they will from nearly 40 countries with a total population of nearly 750 million people from every corner of the Earth, will be welcomed with open arms. This means that we will all have to work and we will all have to give every possible support to the Games.

“This weekend, the Organizing Committee of the Games launches a year-long Fundraising Campaign, and this will give all of us an opportunity to make a contribution, however small it may be, to the success of the Games.

“I exhort you all to remember the slogan for the Games. You are the hosts. The Eighth Commonwealth Games are our Games. Let us live up to this as I know you can and as I know you will.”

Sir Clifford added: “I am, at this stage, happy to announce that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been graciously pleased to have sent a Message to the Commonwealth Games which will, in due course, be publicised."

Delivering an address of welcome, the Hon. Donald Sangster; Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, said that was a very nice thing to have the Games held in Kingston because they would be a credit and of benefit to Jamaica.

He reminded the audience that the fact that the Games were going to be held in Kingston next year “did not just happen.” It did not just occur, like Topsy.  It needed hard work and careful planning.

“It is just like our image abroad. Jamaica’s image is very good today.  Our credit rating is high.  Those things just don’t happen. It is because they are planned for and arranged."

Tribute

Mr. Sangster said that the fact that Jamaica had been able to get the Games to be held in Kingston was almost entirely due to the energies of one man, and he took the opportunity of publicly paying tribute to Mr. Herbert MacDonald – “the man who helped to get this stadium built and the man who succeeded in getting the Games to come to Jamaica when he was in Australia three years ago.”

Mr. Sangster said that it was one thing to get the Games to come to Jamaica and to have had a stadium. The Government, naturally took credit for part of the work, providing the funds, and so on, “but it is now Jamaicans’ turn. No longer is it one individual or the Government only to make sure that the Games are a success.  It has become Kingston’s success.  It has become Kingston’s part and Jamaica’s part," he said.

Referring to the condition of the city.  Mr. Sangster noted that Kingston was not as clean and as bright as they would like it to be.  A few weeks ago, at another function, he had occasion to ask Jamaica, and particularly Kingston, to do whatever could be done to paint up and clean up the city – the roofs, walls, windows, gardens fences, and everything.  He said the Government would do its part, but they wanted the city to look much brighter and cleaner than it was.

Another reason for requesting the clean-up campaign, said Mr. Sangster, was because Her Majesty the Queen would be visiting Jamaica in the spring of next year “and we would like her to see the city looking as nice as it is possible for human endeavour to make it.”

As Acting Prime Minister for Sir Alexander Bustamante who unfortunately was not present, he called on every Jamaican to make a sacrifice and give every possible help to make the Games a success.  “If we succeed, who knows, one day we may even have the Olympic Games in Jamaica.”

Badminton

Addressing the audience, the Hon. Edward Seaga gave the background to the close decision arrived at to hold the Games in Jamaica next year.  He said that they had succeeded in influencing the Far Eastern Commonwealth members because they had promised, the very first time in the history of those Games, to include badminton as one of the sports of the Games.

And in regard to that, they had undertaken to build a national arena to supplement the stadium.  Plans for the arena had been finalised and it would be located on the basketball court.  There would also be a gymnasium for male and female athletes.

Mr. Seaga said that everyone knew how he felt about youth and the youth clubs.  It was perhaps one of the most rewarding fields in Government that he had ever undertaken, he said.  He felt that it was wonderful to work among the youth as they were always responsive and eager, and he had a great deal of faith in the future of the youth of the country.

He said he was glad for the opportunity to assure the organisers that the Government would be behind them to give all the help and assistance “because this is something which will be the glory of Jamaica”.

Advancement

Mr. Eustace Bird, Commissioner of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation, said as a young nation, Jamaica had not only to face the pressing demands of the times, but to seek opportunities for advancement in many fields of endeavour.

But he reminded his hearers that opportunities sought and successes gained carried with them resulting responsibilities. The Commonwealth embraced every area of the world with people of every race, colour, and creed. Mr. Bird said: "Therefore, when the athletes gather here next year August, they will represent millions of people.

And although it was too much to hope that all of those millions of people would hear about Jamaica, he said, “let us ensure when the Games are over that those who hear about us, hear only words of praise”.

Mr. Charlie Braham, Chairman of the Fundraising Committee, in making an appeal for financial support, asked “100,000 civic-minded Jamaicans” to contribute £1 each towards making the Games a success.

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