Charity begins at home

St Vincent and the Grenadines’ turn to host the annual Windward Islands schools’ games, has come around again.{{more}}

Apart from being great hosts, St Vincent and the Grenadines must ensure better performance in all disciplines.

When the multi-discipline event was hosted in 2009, St Vincent and the Grenadines shared the overall title with Grenada, this after almost patenting the cellar position for several years.

In 2010, the Vincentian team did it all on their own in St Lucia, only to regress to third in 2011 in Dominica and joint third with St Lucia at the 2012 excursion to Grenada.

It is imperative that St Vincent and the Grenadines do well and ultimately take this year’s edition, as the ground is rife for such an achievement, notwithstanding there is competition from the three other island-contingents.

The recipe for such an attainment begins right here.

Unfortunately, many selectees do not show that same level of enthusiasm when St Vincent and the Grenadines is hosting, as when the opportunity to travel to another island is in the offing.

However, already the ground has been tilled and prepared, with the seeds sown for the participants as the disciplines of basketball and volleyball have had their schools’ competition and track and field is in high gear, with the ultimate showdown set for next month.

Indications are promising for track and field, which, in previous years, according to those in charge, was “sacrificed” for the other disciplines. This time around, it is widely felt that there could be some improved showing in this discipline, given the personnel at the selectors’ disposal.

Additionally, the core of the football and netball teams will be involved in the national competitions, as well as area exercises leading up to the July multi-discipline games.

The focus for the strategists and technical personnel of the St Vincent and the Grenadines is to, first and foremost, make the correct decisions in their deliberations.

First up, the best individual coaches must be put in place to lead the teams, as far too often, some coaches have been found guilty of choices which suit their school or their community base.

This has led in the past to discord and eventually poor performances.

Critical too for the Vincentians’ success on home soil is the input of parents, who sometimes can be misguided by their children’s coaches who make the decisions for the parents regarding their off- springs’ participation.

It is also imperative for us to reclaim the netball title which St Vincent and the Grenadines had more or less patented for many years, but which eluded our grasp in 2012. In fact, it was more than a poor showing for the Vincentians in netball, as they finished last.

Interestingly, considered the least of the disciplines in terms of national popularity — female volleyball, has been the discipline which, for the past three years, St Vincent and the Grenadines has trumped.

Therefore, all stops should be taken to ensure such a high standard is maintained.

Weaknesses still exist in female basketball, but it is believed that with some intense training leading up to the games, some progress could be forthcoming, which can translate in better results.

Away from the actual games themselves and the output of the St Vincent and the Grenadines athletes, as host, a better job must be performed administratively as well.

Reports are that when our contingent crosses the seas to the other host territories, the treatment meted out is not so good. Hospitality all round should be made priority, likewise the venues and logistical support should have a premium put on them.

Whilst most of the planning is taking place at this juncture, in the event that the organisers plan to use the New Montrose facility for basketball, this column is pleading with them to spruce it up, as it woefully short of care and is unfit for our locals, even worse, if we are to invite others there.

Everyone should be aware that St Vincent and the Grenadines is hosting such an event, thereby drawing home support.

All in all, where there is need for enhancement, this should be like clockwork and let the athletes to do the rest on the field, the track and on the courts.