WHEN IT COMES to true regional integration and making the Caribbean a full sporting powerhouse, it’s time for Caribbean governments to stop talking and start doing.Unless they want a gold medal in that as well.Former leader of the opposition Barbados Labour Party Mia Mottley made that declaration in the House of Assembly earlier today, during a debate in which parliamentarians congratulated regional athletes for their performance at the just-ended Olympic Games.The House also heard that those performances could lead to even stronger CARICOM ties.The critiquing of the athletes came within the context of members of the Lower House congratulating Jamaica on 50 years of political independence (on August 6) and also offering similar sentiment to Trinidad and Tobago, which will celebrate 50 years of independence on August 31.“We (Caribbean countries) have no divine right to prosperity or excellence. What we have is creativity. I strongly believe that is the greatest resource of us Caribbean people,” Mottley told parliamentarians.After numerous MPs rose from their seats to also congratulate the two countries, followed by congratulations to the athletes at the Olympics and comments on the possibility of stronger ties through sporting excellence, Mottley reminded the House that similar sentiments had been expressed after Jamaican superstar sprinter Usain Bolt had risen to fame in China.“We are perfectly able of also getting a gold medal for talking and not doing anything,” the veteran politician said. “What I want to see before I die is a true Caribbean state on the global stage,” Mottley added. (BA)
Full report in tomorrow’s MIDWEEK NATION
