Surveying the sporting landscape

The current landscape of the various sporting disciplines practised here, would show trig points erected on some high ground while others are on flat land.

Therefore, the point of departure must be the present state of play, relative to how are we shaping up with regards the positioning for upward trajectory.

Despite the many criticisms levelled at what is happening in Vincentian sports, this column will boldly state that St Vincent and the Grenadines is poised for a take -off.

With a closer look at what is taking place, it is safe to say that we have seen increased interest generally in sports.

As such, there are a few stand outs, with some carrying the mantle and giving that light of hope and national aspirations.

There is enough narrative that Track and Field is leading the way with an unprecedented resurgence in many spheres.

This, as locally based athletes, their coaches, and parents have found a new lease of life that augurs well for the sport.

It is no gainsaying that the exploits of the overseas-based athletes especially, would have also triggered the sparks, as their return coupled by the media publicity, has worked in others knowing what is happening.

Without a doubt Handal Roban’s most recent successes and his achievements while he was schooled in Jamaica, are testimony of what one person can do to rally a nation.

A deeper look at the performance reel of the 20 year old Roban who is in his first year at Penn State University, USA shows that he has been continuously lowering his times especially in the 800 meters event.

His achievements warrant any amount of national investment to ensure that he produces the goods, and pave the way for other Vincentian Track and Field athletes to thrive and prosper.

Hopefully, others can follow his footsteps, push the frontiers and break down barriers.

Other than Track and Field, the next best hopefuls are the young group of swimmers who are blazing the trail.

They too have brought glimmers of hope, possibilities and opportunities for the country and those who are on the horizon to burst out on the national scene.

Turning our attention to Cricket, Jannillea Glasgow seems to be the best prospect among the females, while the likes of Reshawn Lewis, Solomon Bascombe, Kirtney Franklyn and Luke Wilson, are the targets for higher endeavours.

Meanwhile, Oryan Velox is among the best of the lot as he endeavours to make it big in Germany while carving out a pathway amidst the heavy traffic and obstacles.

Things are also looking up for the sport of Squash, as Jaydon Williams, Jayden George, and Savante

Padmore, are showing that they have the stuff to make them regional forces.

The above-mentioned lot are just a sample of the many potentialities that are stocked in the country’s sporting asset base.

Despite everything else, St Vincent and the Grenadines has always banked on its biggest asset, that is, the God-given talent and natural abilities of our sportsmen and sportswomen.

It is now for us to get the other critical sectors going- such as the scientific, methodological and nutritional components part of the parcel of the time table.

We also have to be cognizant that all cannot make it to the top, hence the need to identify the best prospects, those with the signs available to make that nexus.

It is imperative to make that differentiation rather than trying to fill everyone with the belief that they have it all to become top class sportsmen and sportswomen.

We have to gauge with the realities that we have limited physical resources in terms of the financial wares and modern high-performance sports infrastructure.

This requires knowing what we want, accepting our deficiencies and plotting the course around those who possess the abilities and go getter attitude.

Our sporting landscape at this juncture is potentially the game changer for the young people of St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

This has to be the message of those policy makers who are otherwise throwing the scarce eggs in the wrong baskets and are getting little or nothing in return.