Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Cushioning the blows and falls
On Target
April 16, 2021

Cushioning the blows and falls

ST VINCENT AND the Grenadines, like the rest of the world, has for more than a year been dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

The pandemic had placed a gaping hole in sports here, but which were filled slowly during the last six months of 2020.

We were at a good place, with hope alive that some level of normalcy for sports would have taken place in 2021. But a spike in coronavirus cases in December left us with renewed uncertainty.

Hope abounded, as the reported infection rate dropped and the roll out of the vaccines provided the added assurance that we were about to finally see the end of the proverbial tunnel.

However, reality struck us all when the threats of the La Soufriere volcanoes came to light last Friday with the first of several explosive eruptions.

Whilst Vincentians were always bracing for an explosive eruption, there was that tinge of aspiration it would have tarried and stay in the effusive state.

Hence, we are in a double whammy situation, with everything is at a standstill, as the next moves in sports are contingent on the pace at which the volcano reduces it violent activities. At the other end, concern is pregnant that with the displacement of persons from the north western and north eastern ends of the mainland and the converging in the other areas, there lies the strong possibility that the coronavirus can see an increase in cases.

As it stands now with Vincentian sports is in a quandary, as competitions are almost impossible in the foreseeable future. This as venues are occupied in some instances as emergency shelters for persons who were forced to leave their fixed places of abode. But most significantly, the mood of the country is more on seeing us through our current crises.

So, whilst other countries in the region are moving on with their sports programmes, have come to another extended halt.

It means therefore that Hope International will more than likely be unable to fill their commitment to the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield, despite that tournament being deferred because of a rise in coronavirus cases in the host country, Curacao.

Likewise, the senior national men’s football team’s preparations for their World Cup qualifying matches in June and their trip to Miami in July for the CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifiers, would certainly be affected.

Locally, thoughts were optimistic for a possible recommencement of the National Club Championships, which were suspended in December.

Also, on the list are this country’s track and field athletes, who had recently resumed training and had competitions,

with the Junior Carifta Games in Bermuda in August and the NACAC age group championships set for June in Nicaragua, on their radar.

Swimmers were back in the pool and in competition, with table tennis and tennis as well having a serve off with their respective competitions and continued training regiments.

Similarly, our cricketers were getting in gear for some form of competition in the upcoming months, while cycling was at the starter’s point to pedal off again.

Other sporting disciplines, netball and volleyball, along with the newly formed road tennis committee, were in a mood of readiness for increased activities.

All, though, came crashing down last Friday, with powerful reminder of the potential dangers which the La Soufriere volcano has stored in it.

Our condition has not been experienced by most of our active sportsmen and women, as the long lay-offs are novel to them. More so, they, like most of St Vincent and the Grenadines, those who are involved in sports at all levels, never envisaged this type of pause in activities.

It may seem that we are at our worst, but we have to cushion the blows and falls effected by the disruptions in sports and life in general, as the volcano continues to spew its intestinal contents.

As fate would have it, the bulk of the country’s volleyballers are from the red and orange zones of the country. Too, several national footballers and cricketer also reside in the said zones.

Whilst we cannot dictate what happens with the volcano, save and except rely on divine intervention, some control of the internal variables can be pursued.

The provision of material support is insufficient for those sportsmen and women who have been repositioned geographically.

Most needed are activities that would help in stabilising the mental being of these persons. Hopefully, all national associations and clubs would put in place systems to help the psycho- social state of their constituents.

Getting over the many hurdles which St Vincent and the Grenadines has been asked to negotiate is synonymous with sports, hence the applications of these principles are welcomed, as our resilient nature becomes activated and takes root.

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Front Page
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    FAMILY MEMBERS of a woman who was killed at Long Wall say they suspect their relative was hacked by a person they all know very well. On Tuesday, Sept...
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Front Page
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE IDEA THAT HOUSING is a right, that every Vincentian has a right to safe and secure housing, and that the government has a role to play in ensuring...
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Front Page
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A POLICE OFFICER, who allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend 26 times about her body was remanded even as his lawyer argued that the Royal St Vincent and...
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Front Page
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A NEW UNITY LABOUR PARTY ADMINISTRATION will be rolling out an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to embrace its positives and guard against the nega...
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Front Page
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 9,2025 was a memorable day for the staff and students of the Sandy Bay Secondary School, which was marking its 20th anniversary wi...
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    News
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    NON- NATIONALS ARE being hired to fill several jobs in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) simply because locals did not have the required skill sets....
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    News
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Montgomery Daniel has sought to clear around rumours that have been circulating relating to his health. Speaking on NBC radio on...
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    News
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    The GOVERNMENT of St Vincent and the Grenadines is set to sign agreements for tourism investment of $1.3 billion on mainland St.Vincent. On Monday, Se...
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    From the Courts, News
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A BARROUALLIE MAN will be sentenced next week after pleading guilty to being in illegal possession of a firearm and eight rounds of ammunition. Demron...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok