The development of this island’s athletes should be an issue of national interest.
That view was expressed by legendary West Indian cricketer Sir Wesley Hall during the recent National Sports Council’s annual national sports awards ceremony at the Frank Collymore Hall.
Sir Wesley said that for years corporate Barbados had been guilty of waiting until athletes gained international recognition before rewarding them.
“We can’t wait until they win the occasional medal, then to reward them with a spot of land,” he added.
“Never in the history of sports in Barbados have we had so many talented youngsters . . . who at young ages are competing with the best in the world.
“I just wish to say that I am exhilarated and that exhilaration has lifted me profoundly, for there are a number of sportpersons in this room who can turn their opportunities into miracles.
“But they need the financial support to move them to the next level.”
A former Minister of Sport, Sir Wesley acknowledged that neither Government nor the private sector could continue to foot the bill for the numerous up-and-coming athletes.
He said Barbadians needed to play a bigger role in assisting them with their development, noting that the whole country was set to benefit from their success.
“The Government and the private sector cannot do it all in these recessionary times. All of Barbados has to come onboard.
“These youngsters need to seize [the opportunities] and turn them into miracles by winning gold medals at the highest levels.
“I am sure that we can do that,” he said.
