In the heat of the jam

Many sporting events, locally, regionally and internationally, may just slip under the radar of significance and escape the attention of persons who would normally have keen eyes and ears for what is taking place.

This is so because many Vincentians might have been consumed with the official commencement of the national Carnival calendar; hence, in the heat of the jam, would have either missed out, or decidedly put sports on the shelf, temporarily.

Therefore, some would not have known that St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Under-19 cricketers would have retained the Winlott Inc Windwards Tournament.

The reality is the team did it for the third straight year, albeit sharing the title with St Lucia in a rain affected tournament.

The team has been on a good run, after years of being starved.

Also, some would have missed that St Vincent and the Grenadines’ senior men’s football team would have broken an 11-match losing streak that dates back to September 2015.

The team’s 4-2 win over guest team Barbados in the Windward Islands Football Association (WIFA) tournament in Grenada last Tuesday evening, at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium in Grenada, must relieve the almost two years of groaning and yearning for a tinge of success.

But as we savour the preceding pockets of success, there continues the national track and field debate and venting of concerns.

That sporting discipline, administered by Team Athletics SVG, is taking the lion’s share of media criticisms from many quarters, with even a government minister not afraid to vent his objections publicly.

In all the melée, the finger pointing and all the chagrin, though, there is only one side being heard, as Team Athletics SVG has decided to remain in the blocks and not get involved in the alleged shenanigans.

Over the past week as well, persons may have been oblivious that the West Indies women’s team that is currently contesting the ICC World Cup was bowled out for 48 versus South Africa.

No one would have paid much attention to the fact that the regional side was the losing finalist in the 2013 edition and is the reigning World 20/20 champion.

Hence, to be dismissed for such a low total, and ranked as one of the top sides in women’s cricket is surely a cause for concern.

Is this just another of the falling away of the regional sport’s fortunes?

Hopefully, this is just a snag and the women can pull things around in their remaining matches.

Anything short of an improved effort from them will again send the region into a tailspin of concern and a fit of despair.

Interestingly too, another notable development was aired. Over the past days, it was reported that Caricom has suggested that Dr Rudi Webster be made a director of Cricket West Indies, formerly the West Indies Cricket Board.

For certain, this development will, in the next week or so, get its full share of rebuttals, counter-punches and of course, criticisms and support.

Hope is, that when sobriety returns to the nation sometime next week, Vincentians will play catch-up on the issues and make logical assessments.

But for this weekend, until next Tuesday, for us here in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Vincy Mas reigns.