THE ISSUE FACED by the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) in being forced to reschedule matches in other territories reinforces the point that we need more adequate facilities for hosting major events.
Not unsurprisingly, Kensington Oval has become a hub more than ever now that the Gymnasium has been closed for repairs and will be not be accessible for another year or so – if there are no more delays.
However, it always raises questions when sport is sacrificed for other activities at venues supposedly built for sporting purposes.
I concede that our limited facilities have to be shared but it goes back to not having a real sporting culture or respect for sport in general when it appears that organisers are forced to give in to the demand of those pulling rank.
It is obvious that some rank pulling caused the BCA to beg regional cricket authorities to have two regional cricket matches played on opposition turf. How embarrassing would it have been for us if the requests were turned down?
Damaged
That’s only one part of the scenario. The most critical reason is that the surface at cricket’s regional mecca has been damaged and – reading between the lines – the damage has been caused by some degree of carelessness, such as driving heavy-duty vehicles on to the ground without putting the necessary things in place to prevent damage to the turf.
After hearing from BCA first vice-president Deighton Smith, it seems that more cash will be needed to do further repairs. If this isn’t completed in time, it means that we could forfeit the right to host a zone in the regional knockout tournament early in the new year.
It is one thing to be calling shots but it’s quite another when it appears that not enough attention is paid to protecting the facility.
It means that while one party gets its way, the path of others is affected severely. It shouldn’t be like that.
Apart from having to make way at the last moment for today’s Independence mega concert, the BCA was apparently surprised to hear that the final of the David Thompson Memorial Constituency Councils Football Classic was also being staged at Kensington.
Kensington has been the traditional venue for the football final but it appears it wasn’t factored in originally for this year. The opening was held at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex, so it can be assumed that that venue is not available to host this year’s final and it left organisers scrambling to find a suitable alternative.
Priority
The grand finale of the 50th Independence anniversary celebrations is important and had to be given priority, but I believe cricket’s governing body might be more peeved about the way things were done than any other factor.
This is nothing new. For years sporting federations using the Gymnasium had to make way for other groups. Even in normal circumstances they found difficulty on numerous occasions in securing it for practice as they prepared for major competitions.
We also know that they appealed to the authorities in vain to make it cheaper to stage their domestic competitions. Then without taking such hindrances into consideration, some of us try to crucify our teams when they come up short at the big games.
Treatment
Our sportsmen and women don’t compete on a level playing field and the biggest deterrent is the treatment they receive from officialdom from the start.
The use of the National Stadium by other entities also caused great harm to football. It was the norm to see huge tyre marks on the field after entertainment events. It was part of the reason that football’s governing body, FIFA, once condemned the stadium.
Horse racing, too, has been inconvenienced.Seriously, was it necessary to curtail all racing activity at the Garrison until after the Independence celebrations, putting the December 3 card in jeopardy, notwithstanding that two race days were lost because of the effect torrential rain had on the track?
Perhaps the greatest lesson in all of this is that we need to take better care of our few facilities.
Should it be that while we celebrate the golden jubilee, both the Stadium and the Gymnasium are in a run-down state?
• Andi Thornhill is a veteran sports journalist. Email andithornhill1@gmail.com