No spending of millions of dollars this year to celebrate Jamaica's accomplishments at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, China - among the best globally and, who now need very little introduction - contends Minister with Responsibility for Sport Natalie Neita-Headley.

The athletes just concluded the Championships second in the world with 12 medals — seven gold, two silver, and three bronze.

Instead, the government plans to shelve its customary grand gala celebration for a special reception/homecoming ceremony, to be staged during Heroes' Day weekend in October, where the athletes will be fêted by Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller.

All eyes and ears are expected to be tuned in to those celebrations, as Minister Neita-Headley disclosed in a Jamaica House press briefing that it will be broadcast live to the nation.

Neita-Headley also disclosed that although there won't be a celebration to host the athletes, that money will instead be put towards assisting athletes who are struggling financially.

She stressed: "The sum to be saved will allow support to be given to the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association, through the Sport Development Foundation, to provide a monthly stipend to a pool of approximately 70 athletes currently in the national programme, and those going through the developmental process heading into Rio 2016.

"We anticipate that with support from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), and CHASE, this will become a sustained reality for the future as well," added the Sport minister.

Celebrating the athletes' successes cost around J$80 million in 2008, while in 2012, a more modest figure in the region of J$40 million was spent.

Neita-Headley said: "So that saved about J$40 million going into a pool that is already established, giving a total pool (funds for athlete development and welfare) of J$60m."

- S.F.