SPORT TODAY IN Barbados is much more than a fleeting weekend pastime and this needs to be understood by those in charge – both the administrators of the various sporting disciplines and the relevant state agencies. There is so much to gain by doing the right things.
More than any other area of endeavour, sport unites us as a nation, regardless of class, colour or creed. It brings out our passion, encourages team building, camaraderie and makes us proud when our sports people excel internationally. It also promotes the country in a positive way and better than the direct marketing campaigns by tourism officials. It is a way of building a brand.
Long after his departure from the field of play, the Right Excellent Sir Garry Sobers is still an iconic figure in Commonwealth cricket-playing nations and even amongst cricket fans in other countries. The Sobers brand is very much associated with Barbados.
We can replicate Sir Garry’s success in sports other than cricket. We have the talent. However, it cannot be harnessed without all the right people and facilities being put in place.
Our National Stadium will not allow for this to happen and there can be no more excuses for the condition of this facility. Minister of Sport Stephen Lashley’s promise of “much needed upgrades” is only plaster work. Patching the Stadium simply makes no sense as this facility opened in 1970 has simply outlived its usefulness. We need not wait for outsiders to remind us of the deficiencies, physical and man-made.
A new stadium, or rather, multipurpose sports venue built to meet all the specifications required for the athletes, the fans and to allow effective live television coverage of events, is a necessity. This is particularly true in order to attract the CARIFTA Games here once again, and perhaps, along with other nations, bigger events such as the Commonwealth or Pan American championships.
Financing of a new stadium, especially in the prevailing difficult economic times, is the major consideration. This concern will also be compounded if we reflect on what was spent on redeveloping Kensington Oval seven years ago and what have been the accrued benefits. But, such an approach would be injudicious. Perhaps, it would be best to recognise this as an investment.
The situation requires that we work with a bilateral partner to attain this significant goal. This country needs a multipurpose national stadium allowing for both outdoor and indoor sports, giving many of those associations without a permanent home a place from which to operate.
The challenge is for us to exploit the full potential which sport offers – from talent to marketing to the commercialisation of rights and ultimately to earn foreign exchange. But, we must have proper facilities in place.
