WITH officials looking to include skateboarding at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020, Barbados could be sending a team in the discipline with a view of picking up a medal.
That’s after yesterday’s groundbreaking ceremony at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex which will see the construction of a US $1.4 million skateboarding park, thanks to the Maria Holder Memorial Trust in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth.
Minister Stephen Lashley, in thanking the trust for assisting in the development of the youth and their sporting pursuits in Barbados, indicated that the skate park would be available for the people of the country who he hoped would properly utilise the park which will be maintained by his ministry.
Work is expected to begin this month and the project is projected to be completed in 34 weeks. Ten weeks would be consigned to the final preparations of the various mechanics in the park, which will be carried out by visiting officials. President of the newly-formed Skateboarding Association of Barbados, Paul Wilson, was very emotional in expressing his joy over the realisation of the park.
He indicated that the facility would play a big role in providing sporting outlets for many youth who needed direction and positive focus for their energies in order to travel the correct path of life. (KB)