Sport ministry gives $1.35 million to drone soccer initiative

The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has given $1.35 million to the Jamaica Drone Football Association (JDFA) to assist in the funding of participation by the national drone soccer team in an international competition in South Korea from July 11 to 18, 2026.
Sport Minister, Olivia Grange, says the contribution by the Government to the JDFA represents a major step in Jamaica’s efforts to support emerging sporting disciplines while creating new opportunities for young people to develop skills at the intersection of sports, technology and entrepreneurship.
“What is happening in Jamaica through drone soccer shows how sport continues to evolve and how technology can create new opportunities for our young people. 
“Players must master drone operation, strategy, teamwork, problem-solving, and technical skills, making it a unique platform for youth development and innovation. The fast-growing sport combines the excitement of traditional athletics with the principles of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).” 
In September 2025, Jamaica became the first Caribbean nation to compete at the FIDA World Cup in South Korea, where the team received the Spirit of Drone Soccer Award and the Best Rising Star Award in the Class 40 category. 
In May 2026, the team won the Pan Americas National Championship at the Palm Springs International Drone Festival, after defeating teams from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Kazakhstan in the same category.
These accomplishments have elevated Jamaica’s profile on the global stage of technology and innovation, and positioned the country as a regional leader in tech-based sport.
In addition, the ‘DRIFT Drones in School’ programme and ‘Harms Down, Drones Up’ community initiative are helping to steer young people toward technology, sport, education, innovation, and opportunity, particularly those who may not be engaged in traditional sports or academic pathways. 
Over 40 schools and over 20,000 students across Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, including the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands are involved. Some of the 20 schools are Eltham High School, Eltham Park Primary, Norman Gardens Primary, Winston Jones High School, Cross Keys High School, Catherine Hall Primary, Cornwall College, Herbert Morrison, Wolmer’s Boys’ School, Knockalva Technical, St. George’s College, Irwin Primary School, and Irwin High School.
President of the JDFA and coach of Jamaica Drone Soccer, Dervon McKellop, welcomed the ministry’s support, describing it as a significant investment in the team’s preparation and Jamaica’s continued growth in the sport.