Sports was a serious talking point this past week among many of our online readers, who were left wondering if this aspect of student life was as important as it was made out to be.
With a dark cloud still hanging over the staging of the National Primary Schools Athletics Championships (NAPSAC) as well as the Powerade Barbados Secondary Schools’ Athletics Championships (BSSAC) this term, readers are concerned that these two sporting highlights for the student population may not be held.
Following are some of the comments made by our readers.
Princess Tiny Neferua: “This shouldn’t even be a problem if the welfare of sports in this island was of importance to the so-called athletics bodies. . . .”
Jason T. Callender: “Ask the minister why this is so. They are really messing up the schoolchildren. How can young people go forward if there is nothing in place for them?”
Kathie Daniel: “No Plan B in place, I guess. Very sad. Heads should roll for this and the loss of the primary schools event as well.”
Randy Bridgeman: “Here we go again! Adults finding it hard to sit down, have a meeting of the minds/exchange of views, opinions, suggestions etc., then arriving at a consensus. Whatever happened to the old saying, ‘Where’s there’s a will, there’s a way’? For the sake of the young participants, I wish that all the stakeholders will put aside whatever differences of opinion which they may possess and seek to resolve this problem pronto.”
Mary Kate: “This is very poor planning on the part of the Government of Barbados. I thought Stephen Lashley, the Minister of Sports, said that a plan was in place. This is very bad for those students in their last year at school who would be up for scholarships. This is ridiculous!”
Margaret Ross: “How can Barbados send great athletes to world events if they don’t compete with each other, on all levels right there, starting with school sports? I’m sure these children were looking forward to the competition against each other and the schools. I know because competing for St Leonard’s Girls, in the Inter-school sports at the National Stadium was awesome. Still have the wonderful memories that will last me forever. Should have been some alternative plans.”
Leroy McAllister: “This tells just how important sport, except for cricket, is in this country.”
Julie Whitehall: “The thing with the Stadium wanted doing ever since. Everybody knew and I’m glad they are doing it but why couldn’t it have finished in a time frame that didn’t affect sports? It’s extremely sad. I feel for the secondary students, especially those in their last year looking for a scholarship or looking to make the CARIFTA team.”
• Carol Martindale is THE NATION’S Online Editor.