More occasions to maximize benefits

For many years now, this column has been calling on the relevant authorities to seek out and at the same time maximize the economic benefits that present themselves when our turns comes to host sporting events.

Here again, the opportunities are there on a platter in the next two months.

On the plate of hosting by St Vincent and the Grenadines are the Windward Islands’ Schools Games (WISG), the CONCACAF females Under-17, August 1 to 7; the Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Senior Squash Tournament, the Hamilton Lashley Human Development Charity Shield Football Classic and the ITF Junior Tennis Tournament.

Varying in numbers, all though, will bring some economic prosperity to St Vincent and the Grenadines.

In the case of the WISG, over 200 students will be here for one week; the CONCACAF U-17, another 60 at minimum and the squash tournament, another 150.

The Football Classic, is set to bring in potentially a few hundred, once things are firmed up.

Reports are that the tournament should import young footballers in U-13, U-15 and U-17 divisions from club teams in Barbados, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago.

 Sadly, whilst the ITF Junior Tennis Tournament is a staple event on St Vincent and the Grenadines’ list of hostings, there is something unnerving and uneasy about the prospects of the 2017 edition.

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Tennis Association’s website has gone inactive for a year now. Hopefully, there is work taking place behind the scenes and the tournament is really and truly on.

However, amidst the glimmer of hope, despair looms.

But generally and instructively, there should definitely be a greater effort being extended by all stakeholders and government agencies to max out what can be derived from these tournaments coming our way.

Often they are seen as the responsibilities of the respective national associations, hence the inclusivity that is required goes missing.

Therefore, making everything and every event count should be the national mantra.

Such is that importance, that the unfortunate slighting at the closing ceremony of the OECS Senior Squash Championships earlier this month, when no government nor sporting official was present, cannot be allowed to be a normal occurrence.

It is inexcusable for this to transpire, when reports are that relevant personnel were informed of the closing ceremony. It was shameful to have players hand over awards to fellow players.

Additionally, no figure of authority was there to extend to the visiting players some Vincentian embrace and hospitality.

Our policymakers, who often speak about twinning sports with tourism, should learn from what obtains in other territories, where the aim is to ensure that the financial gains and visitors’ experience are optimized.

At the Barbados International Masters Football Festival earlier this month, BDS $2 million was reported to have been netted in the Barbados economy, as a consequence of the many teams which descended on the island.

We saw the quotation in dollars and cents, which really served as dollars and sense, as the festival is well thought out.

It is high time that St Vincent and the Grenadines cash in on these efforts by facilitating a lasting cordiality package.

We should not wait until marquee celebrations, such as the 40th anniversary of Vincy Mas, which the country is currently commemorating, but such special treatment should be a matter of course.

Sports has too much to offer to be left on an unchartered course; rather it should be led on a well-planned voyage.