BARBADOS’ 47TH ANNIVERSARY of Independence was again celebrated without much fanfare by many sporting organizations in Barbados.
While I must concede this is not a time of plenty but one of need, where were the sports festivals? Why didn’t at least one single national organization invite one of their regional counterparts to our shores for a day of competition?
Have Independence celebrations been confined to community celebrations?
Of course, the LIME Pelican Football Challenge was again held with the final reverting to the National Stadium.
The organizers would have significantly reduced their expenses by not using Kensington Oval, but there is still a dire need for infrastructural upgrade at the National Stadium.
While the outfield at the Stadium showed some signs of improvement from its previous shoddy state when the tournament started in September, the surface was still uneven with many grassless areas.
Why can’t the field resemble Kensington Oval’s, with the same type of surface and drainage system? Patrons are still exposed to the elements when it rains and have to seek shelter. Dignitaries and corporate executives are not even inclined to attend major events as the facility lacks hospitality boxes where they can entertain guests.
Back in 2010, following the opening of the Jean Pierre Under-16 Netball Championship at the Netball Stadium, I made reference to the lack of a proper car park.
Grassy areas
Three years later, I still can’t believe that nothing has been done to improve the parking areas for patrons attending events at the Stadium. Why can’t the grassy areas around the facility, which become muddy when it rains, be transformed into a massive concrete or asphalt car park, like the one at the Wildey Gymnasium? Similarly, the grassy patch in front of the National Stadium could also be turned into a mini-car park.
Over the years, my colleagues Mike King and Andi Thornhill have joined me in calling for more honours and awards to be bestowed on our loyal sporting sons and daughters, who have written their names on history’s page.
Both Thornhill and I have suggested the renaming of the National Stadium after 2000 Sydney Olympics 100-metre bronze medallist Obadele Thompson.
We believe the new track should bear the name of 1998 Commonwealth Games 100-metre hurdles gold medallist Andrea Blackett while the Stadium Lounge could carry the names of Lorna and Elvis Forde.
Sir Hilary Beckles, a visionary and Cave Hill Campus principal, must be complimented for acknowledging the outstanding contributions made by our brave Caribbean forefathers who sowed the seeds of success by naming a number of buildings and other areas at the campus after them.
There is also the Ryan Brathwaite Track that is still to be completed and the Floyd Reifer Balcony at the 3Ws Oval that was recently named after the campus’ committed coach/player.
Difference of opinion
It’s just a pity that Sir Hilary used the opportunity to take another swipe at anyone who dares to have a different opinion to his on cricketing matters.
That aside, let me return to 2010 when I commended the Barbados Netball Association
for naming its divisions after some of the top netballers and coaches and suggested Government go a step further by renaming the Netball Stadium after Marvo Sealy, one of our legendary netballers.
We may be expecting too much for a roof to be erected on the facility to facilitate playing indoors on the internationally correct surface.
Each of the three courts at the Netball Stadium should be named after other iconic netball personalities like Carolyn Sinckler, “Iron Lady” Kathy Harper Hall and Deborah Theobalds (née Lynch), who has excelled as a player and umpire.
Courts in the various communities around the country should also bear the names of some of our outstanding netballers like Anna Shepherd, June Boyce, Marilyn Hollingsworth, Sandra Bruce and Marion Johnson-Hurley, who is now the Caribbean’s leading umpire and one of the best officials in the world.
I must reiterate that the Bayville courts should be renamed The Banfield Courts as a tribute to the four Banfield sisters – Sonja, Sonia, Harriett and Julia – who represented Barbados with distinction.
Similarly, the hard courts in Deacons and St George should be renamed after former long-serving national volleyball captains Elwyn Oxley and John Stuart with the same for former national basketball captain Dwight Rouse in Harts Gap, Christ Church.
We can do the same for outstanding achievers in other disciplines as well as naming competitions after them, since we have now run out of roundabouts.
The Table Tennis Centre should be renamed after Robert Earle or Keith Morris while Martin Blackman’s name should be affixed to the National Tennis Centre in Wildey and Maurice Foster’s name to the Aquatic Centre, where the names of Leah Martindale and Nicky Neckles would be prominently displayed.
What about the Tyrone Downes Boxing Championships? Since we have forgotten about the Reggie Haynes champion-of-champion match, don’t Keith “Grell” Griffith’s feats as footballer, coach and commentator merit the Wildey AstroTurf to be named after him?
Is Gordon Greenidge the only cricketer who can have a school named after him? What about Seymour Nurse, Malcolm Marshall or Joel Garner?
Those responsible for our national awards have belatedly handed bodybuilder Earl Maynard, a two-time Mr Universe, a Barbados Service Medal at the age of 78.
While a Gold or Silver Crown Of Merit would’ve been more appropriate, it is still noteworthy that Maynard has finally been recognized for his achievements.
Maybe next Independence, or in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List, Tony Cozier and Austin Sealy will receive the Knight Of St Andrew insignia.
• ezrastuart@gmail.com
