Revamp the Ministry of Sports!

By Michael Bascombe

I am making an appeal for either the assigning of a Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Sports, or the return of Veda Bruno-Victor to that position. This bold claim may be slighted because of her unpopularity among some sports administrators and enthusiasts.

However, Bruno-Victor is undoubtedly a hard worker and her track record is a testimony to her accomplishment.

I am not an apologist for Veda but I believe that she has what it takes to revive that Ministry which appears to be performing the role of the Protocol Department.

Among the list of current permanent secretaries she stands out among the rest. She has demonstrated her tenacity to overcome challenges and silence her critics. I have had the opportunity to speak to some of the leading sport administrators in the Americas and they share great respect for the ‘big lady’ as she is sometimes referred.

But above all, there is need for strong leadership and an action plan at the Ministry of Sports.

The Ministry of Sports appears to be lacking in direction and focus and has withered down to a department which waits to glow in the success of our sportsmen and sportswomen. No sooner than someone hits stardom we hear about press conferences and other accolades.

It’s true to say that the Ministry of Sports, mainly through the National Lottery Authority, provides some assistance, mostly in the form of costly air travel. But far from that is the role the Ministry should play in developing and nurturing young talent.

The outreach programme has been able to fill a void but too often we have allowed history to absorb ‘potential’ talent.

A few years ago I became enemy number one after launching a one-man campaign on local radio calling for the revamping of the Ministry of Sports.

I also called for the introduction of the much talked about National Sports Commission and a National Sports Policy even though they have been on the priority list for the Ministry on three previous budget presentations.

I take no claim for the subsequent removal of Adrian “Spaceman” Mitchell as Sports Minister but he certainly would have accomplished much more within the last two years.

In an election year we don’t expect to see Ministers giving full attention to their respective Ministries but instead spend most of their time trying to solidify votes and return to villages they last saw during the 2003 election campaign.

Therefore, the Permanent Secretary takes on additional responsibilities in the day-to-day operations at the Ministry.

The Ministry of Sports needs to define its role and purpose in the development of sports on the island. Thousands of dollars (through the National Lottery Authority and the Grenada Olympic Committee) have been invested in assisting our sportsmen and sportswomen, especially in track and field and football.

However, they are left in the wilderness with no proper inventory. As a result, few return to provide a service to the country.

The Ministry, therefore, must ensure that there is return on investment (ROI). Bruce Swan is a shining example of returning home and providing a service to the community.

There are also scores of Grenadians who were instrumental in securing scholarships for Grenadian athletes in the United States and the Ministry should work with them.

A good example is Mike Mc Quilkin, who has been in the forefront of this endeavour for the past decade. Silently he continues to seek the interest of young Grenadian athletes.

His contribution should not go unnoticed.