Windward Islands Schools’ Games – another look-in

St Vincent and the Grenadines is once again readying its young sportsmen and women to head out to Dominica from this weekend for the annual Windward Islands Schools’ Games (WISG).

Student-athletes from the four islands — Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines will pit their skills in five disciplines: track and field, netball, football as well as volleyball and basketball, which both have a male and female component.{{more}}

Many anxiously look forward to this outing, one more for national pride, a chance to meet new people, compete in different settings and of course, a chance to travel overseas, as the host of the games rotates each year.

The multi-discipline event, which dates back many moons, over time has changed in scope, public appeal and desire by the participants. In the case of the latter, one can speak explicitly and emphatically of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Slowly, but surely, it has lost its zip, that element which makes athletes eager to be part of the final cut of team, even when touring another of the three islands.

It is now the norm for some students to opt out of the games after being selected, as some express indifference about attending.

And, this year is no exception, as some have indeed done so.

Therefore, St Vincent and the Grenadines will not have its “best” on show at the Dominica Games.

And, it is mainly as a result of improper or better still, poor planning. Although there are schools’ competitions in each of the five disciplines, there is always that mad rush to find persons at the last minute.

This is in part due to the laissez-faire approach to these competitions, which are left in the hands of the national associations.

The end result is a lot of favouritism, horse-trading and the like.

From general observation, it can be concluded that St Vincent and the Grenadines does not go with a plan to champion the games.

Conversely, is it simply an obligation to be fulfilled by the Ministry of Education?

Needless to say, there is no evaluation of the team’s performance at the end of each version of the games, so that the necessary corrective measures could be made for the following year.

But what then has caused persons to relegate the Windward Islands School Games down the ladder of importance?

The Ministry of Education, under whose ambit the games fall, must bear the brunt of the blame, as their inherent lethargy has trickled down to the athletes in the preparation process. They too have continued to slight the event, except when it is to be held here.

Unlike the other territories where there is a build up to the games, we here in St Vincent and the Grenadines have pressed the mute button.

Have there been public releases on the St Vincent and the Grenadines team to the games, or do we have to go to Facebook to look for postings?

Unless one sees activities at a field or on a court and becomeS inquisitive, then you are left in the dark and have to rely on hearsay and sometimes gossip.

Maybe, it may be a well planned and executed mode of operation, as reports are that again they have gone at variance with the composition of the team, whereby an additional official will make the trip at the expense of a student-athlete. If this is the case, it will again mirror what occurred last year in St Lucia; but no one cares.

Should it then surprise anyone when a youngster does not feel the vibes to attend the games?

However, in the grander scheme of things, St Vincent and the Grenadines’ approach towards attending the Windward Islands Schools’ Games paints a picture of just another event.

Our lack of enthusiasm, topped off by the institutionalized nonchalance breeds that air of anything goes and it is the best that can be done.

It is also the reason why some student-athletes and officials alike relish the paid holiday of frolicking, while the respective disciplines are no better off and by extension the national sporting framework here.

Many, however, will take the glory should the St Vincent and the Grenadines team do well, but those who know the contrary will conclude that it was the student-athletes’ natural talents and no structured mechanisms.

So, when some of our young people come short of our expectations, don’t beat up on them always, as they were well taught by some of their elders.