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
      • 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
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
The other side of the coin
On Target
May 13, 2022

The other side of the coin

Many Vincentians get excited whenever our young student- athletes get an opportunity to go overseas on scholarships, whether it be partial scholarships or full.

And, rightly so, as many see embarking on their sporting and academic pursuits are better served by jetting off to a foreign country, namely the United States of America.

Let the truth be told, little exists to keep the budding sportsmen and women here in St Vincent and the Grenadines grounded in sports, save and except their personal desires and ambitions.

Furthermore, there is that resonated notion of many Vincentians in all walks of life, that the pastures are always greener on the other side.

But as we focus on sports in this exposition, we should be made aware that many of our young sportsmen and women, whilst they may be reasonably talented at their respective disciplines, their academic abilities are not always commensurate.

So, when opportunities come their way, there are always hidden obstacles behind the curtains, the untold stories , the many challenges that beset Vincentians as they try to realise their dreams.

It is factual that many are unable to cope with the heavy and demanding workload, the change in culture, climate, expectations of parents and others, and the list can go on and on.

The glitter and the glamour sometimes quickly shift to heartache, being homesick, depressed, and burdened by other psycho- social setbacks.

Do we know that many of our student -athletes are meted out with abuse of various kinds?

Are we aware that they are used as the guinea pigs, the donkeys, who are required to compete day in day out, while native student- athletes are protected and preserved for special events?

Some are resilient enough to tough it out or be fortunate to stay the course and eventually attain their degrees and make it in life generally.
That bunch invariably keep faith in the “ half a loaf is better than none” phenomenon.

On the other hand , several of them have returned to St Vincent and the Grenadines, unable to fulfil and complete their ambitions due to debilitating circumstances.

This column in no way is laying blame on the overseas systems, as our student- athletes at times are at fault for their own undoing.

However, many of our student- athletes were not prepped for these anticipated pitfalls and often believe it would be a honkey dory experience, littered with the bright lights and leisurely golden outcomes.

Unfortunately, many are not taught the ropes of the overseas systems or see getting out of St Vincent and the Grenadines the lone objective, hence, are oblivious to the need to seek advice.

Hence, there needs to be due diligence, thorough background checks of the various colleges and universities which sometimes hound Vincentian student- athletes for their God- given abilities.

Persons who have had the experiences studying and competing overseas on sports scholarships, should be sought and the knowledge of the set ups made known. The landscape in these countries is forever changing, and being updated of the trends is paramount.

Therefore, the glitzy expectations, the pie in the sky, easy does it approach which is often adopted by some who embark on overseas scholarships can be tempered by them , knowing that there is another side of the coin.

  • 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