IT HAS LONG been accepted that success in sport is important for the psyche of a nation; it unites people regardless of colour, class or religion. We place great emphasis on praising our sportspeople who are the very best in their field, whether at the individual level or in team events.
This is why Barbadians will be paying close attention to their track and field athletes competing in the annual CARIFTA Games this weekend in Curaçao. It is a pilgrimage which every successful athlete from the Caribbean in recent years has taken – from Obadele Thompson to Usain Bolt.
The CARIFTA Games are the gateway to big things.
This weekend’s games are the climax of the track and field season as our athletes would have recently completed their various competitions, including the inter-school championships.
The CARIFTA Games are therefore not only a chance to showcase just how good our talent is against the best from across the region, but also an opportunity for the standouts to catch the eyes of North American collegiate talent scouts.
This is important, given the access to scholarships which offer life-changing opportunities. The successful athletes will be looking to the World Championships later this year in London.
But there is a problem we face as a nation with track and field which, after all, is the second most popular sport in the world after soccer. We lack adequate facilities, particularly a well equipped National Stadium.
This is one of the reasons why we have not been able to host the CARIFTA Games since 2001. There is much at stake here since these games were started by outstanding local sports administrator Sir Austin Sealy and Barbados played a crucial role during the early years of this regional competition.
This is why even with the call from Minister of Sports Stephen Lashley for Barbadians to make a $10 financial contribution towards redevelopment of the National Stadium, it is unlikely that this initiative will bear fruit. It is fairly safe to say we will be unable to host the CARIFTA Games for at least another five years, even with the facilities at the Cave Hill campus.
The situation points to the need for a national sports plan which clearly articulates how it will be funded. Such a plan must also be about preparation of our sportsmen and women and the disciplines in which we may have our best chances of success.
It should be a joint public-private initiative, given the tremendous marketing opportunities sports can bring this island. It will also call for a greater coordinated effort to push sporting activity in our schools and at tertiary level institutions, given the multilayered career opportunities.
The situation may be a little disheartening, but nevertheless we must still support our athletes. We wish them success in this weekend’s competition.
