East Kingstown MP charges government with neglect of playing fields

Opposition member of parliament, Fitzgerald Bramble says the current administration does not take sports seriously, and if one needs evidence of this they just need to look at the 62 sporting facilities in the country where only a few have lights.

Bramble, who represents the East Kingstown Constituency, noted also that many of the facilities are locked, and people are unable to use them.

“You look at the Arnos Vale Playing Field for example-somebody complained to me from my constituency, the Arnos Vale Playing Field where we just spent millions of dollars to upgrade…”

“They’re not even allowing people to come and walk around the perimeter of the field for exercising. How is that going to affect the quality or the facility in any particular way?” the New Democratic Party (NDP) politician questioned on Wednesday night, March 26, 2025 during an NDP forum.

Bramble, a former national footballer, said that in East Kingstown the hard courts are in “terrible” shape, and the Arnos Vale facility is not benefiting sportsmen and sportswomen in the country.

He said that at this time sports is no longer just for recreational purposes but in many instances, a way out of poverty and something that can benefit the country, but the current administration seems to ignore sports and the impact it can have on citizens.

“We have to improve. We have to not just improve, but raise the standard to allow our athletes to compete at a reasonable level, even if it’s in the communities,” he pointed out.

“Sports is no longer just recreation. We just heard President [kishore] Shallow from Cricket West Indies telling us about the economic impact of World Cup Cricket.

“… St Vincent and the Grenadines benefited by some 200 and something million US dollars…”. Bramble said apart from improving the sporting facilities, they have to be made available for use.

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