Just some timely nudges

Every so often, when things become stale and when there is no need for drastic overhauls, a shake-up might be appropriate.

But at present, there are a few matters taking place among our sporting stock here in St Vincent and the Grenadines that can get sorted out with a few reminders.

In need of a nudge is the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association Inc.

It is undeniable that the SVGCA Inc is one of the most efficiently managed sporting organizations in the land, however, there are one or two things that need to be addressed soonest.

One such that needs some attention is the association’s website, specifically the timely uploading of the results of its various competitions.

Save and except the last round of competitions, tardiness was the order of the day, as one sometimes had to wait until Wednesday to get the details of matches.

Having such information, three of four days after the events, makes a mockery of effective reporting.

This is against the reality that in the case of the women’s competition which is played only on Saturdays, the first division on Sundays and the premier division matches conclude on Sundays.

Ironic though, when we are living in a fast-paced technological age, when the ease of getting information is by the press of a button.

Surely, getting it right is within reach of the very capable officials who are vested with the responsibilities of the cricket, nationally.

Some distance behind the SVGCA Inc, though still with some acceptable administrative heft is the St Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association (SVGNA), which can boast of being stable in its management.

But it must be unwelcoming to the ears and to the purist of netball at what is being sold as an attraction for the opening of the 2018 national club tournament at the Kingstown Netball Centre.

In case persons were not up to speed with the happenings, a visiting male netball team from Grenada will engage a St Vincent and the Grenadines male team in the feature match.

Set aside the taboo that is often associated generally when males are engaged in a netball match, but more so as it relates to the current state of the sport.

For several years now, much has been made of the falling off of this country’s standard of netball and more recently the disappearance from the world ranking list.

So as the SVGNA is embarking on moves to retrieve some of the lost meaning to netball, it has to be counter–productive to have such a feature match at the opening of the sport’s most prestigious national club tournament.

No insinuations are meant, as to each his own, but the decision-makers of the SVGNA would have dropped the ball on this occasion.

How can you want to woe young players, sponsors and spectators with this type of marketing of the sport?

Unfortunately, the die has been cast and little or nothing can be done at this juncture to change the minds of the decision-makers, except to use this forum to express one’s gut feeling on the matter.

And, as the saying goes, “A stitch in time, saves nine”.

This is indeed a truism with our showpiece sporting facility – the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

When one observes the wear and tear that is being experienced at that facility, those policy-makers may need to take a closer look at its maintenance, notwithstanding the realities of the absence of money.

Despite not having ready finance, as a matter of urgency, the National Sports Council and other relevant governmental institutions, as a matter of urgency, put some mechanism in place to have phased rectification of the glaring deterioration of some of the structures and amenities that are showing themselves at our main sporting facility.

This surely has to assume some priority, as much has been invested there.