KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica is launching an initiative to develop sports tourism on the island that is the world’s dominant sprinting hothouse.

The initiative dubbed Jamaica Sport is part of an effort to diversify the tropical nation’s tourism offerings.

Tourism Minister Wykeham McNeill notes Jamaica’s sprinting dominance at the Olympics and other global meets and says that “now is the time to capitalize on this potential.”

The group is headed by telecom businessman Christopher Dehring, who served as CEO of the Cricket World Cup when Jamaica hosted the event in 2007.

The tourism ministry says the initiative unveiled Wednesday will try to bring more events to Jamaica, boost tourist arrivals and position the island “as a major sport destination.”

Jamaica is home to sprinting stars Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and others.