Time for a National Sports Policy

EDITORIAL – Grenada Advocate Newspaper - July 17, 2009

The time has come and is going quickly for the government to develop a national sports policy which would ensure a level playing field for our sportsmen and women.

The recent contrasting performances by our national sportsmen and women are more reasons why the national sports policy is needed urgently.

Congratulations are in order for the achievements of Kirani James and Nichkelia John and their coach Albert Joseph at the 6th IAAF World Youth Championships in Italy last week. Kirani has shown that dedication and hard work blended with his calmness are good qualities for his success. Coach Joseph must also be commended for his commitment to his athletes.

The National Under-23 netballers also gave a good account of themselves in the OECS Tournament in Nevis, although they felt short of retaining the title, and our national footballers learned a valuable lesson of preparing adequately for the “big league”.

This should give notice to the authorities that our sportsmen and women should be given the necessary encouragement and incentives to compete against some of the world’s best.

The NDC Administration, in its five-point agenda, promised to establish an Incentives and Rewards System and a National Sports Council to oversee the formulation of a national sports policy. The latter is significantly important since it provides the enabling environment to ensure the proper nurturing of our athletes from an early stage.

The long overdue sports policy will ensure that our national associations are governed properly and guarantee their adherence to all the policy guidelines. It would also ensure that our athletes are given the attention deserved in preparing for regional and international tournaments.

The government must also revisit its promise of establishing an Incentives and Rewards System. It says that “Our approach will be to provide suitable compensation to sports people who represent Grenada in various disciplines. This will range from financial packages to employment offers, and assistance in cases of injury and sickness”.

What has happened to the promises following Grenada’s runners-up position in the Caribbean Cup in Jamaica last December and the completion of the Junior CARIFTA Games in St. Lucia in April?

The government must adhere to its promises made to these individuals who are routinely representing this country at the regional and international levels. We cannot only remember them when they strike gold or win a championship.

Our Under-23 netballers had to embark on their own fundraising activities to participate in the tournament in Nevis this month. Likewise our footballers had to settle for a sub-standard facility to play their only competitive warm-up friendly ahead of their debut participation in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Tournament.

In addition, it was frightening to hear from some of the footballers how frustrating it was for them to learn that their association had to pay departure tax for every member of the national football team even though a request was made for an exemption.

It’s time that the government examines the important role that sports can play in the development – both physically and economically – of our country.

Let us rally around these new aspiring icons who are continuing to carve a niche in our sporting history.

NB: guest editorial was written exclusively for the Grenada Advocate newspaper by veteran sports journalist Michael Bascombe.