OECS Swimming Championships- A Big Deal

It was indeed a big deal for St Vincent and the Grenadines, when it hosted the 32nd edition of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States’ Swimming Championships.

Hence, from November 8- 10, 2024, the Shrewsbury Aquatic Centre was the hub for three days of intense swimming competition, as nine countries, inclusive of St Vincent and the Grenadines were part of the historic event.

Given the number of participants, this edition proved the largest to date in the championship’s history.

Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and St Maarten, all jetted to St Vincent and the Grenadines to be part of the championships.

When lumped, over 200 people, inclusive of athletes and officials, were part of the extravaganza, despite the inclement weather, which did not dampen the spirit and enthusiasm of the participants and spectators alike.

To pull off such an event requires not only finance, but astute planning, as well as committed personnel.

Kudos are in order for all who were able to put their hands up to ensure that the St Vincent and the Grenadines Swimming Federation, and by extension, St Vincent and the Grenadines delivered a product that warranted the status as worthy and competent.

And, we did tick the boxes both in extending untethered hospitality, logistics and execution of the duties at the championships. It stands to reason that given the favourable experience the visiting contingents had, they unanimously gave St Vincent and the Grenadines to be host again in 2025.

This speaks much for the administrators of Swimming and all the stakeholders who were able to leave a lasting impression on the minds of those who were part of the visiting contingents.

The task is now in the hands of the executive of the SVG Swimming Federation to do the necessary lobbying to the corporate sector to obtain the funding to execute another successful undertaking in November, 2025.

Indications are that St Vincent and the Grenadines has to give the green light of its ability to host the championships by March 31, 2025. One, though, expects a response in the affirmative.

However, we have to begin to treat such events as national undertakings, as overall, St Vincent and the Grenadines is the beneficiary.

Hence, it will take more than the input from the National Lotteries Authority, FLOW, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee, the Bank of SVG and VC3- who were identified as the main financial supporters of the 2024 OECS Swim Championships.

Obviously, 2025 will be a different proposition, as prices for commodities and services will increase, whilst the organisers will surely add new ideas in order to spruce up the next championships.

The economic benefits of hosting such championships cannot be understated or slighted. Neither is the sports- tourism spin offs that build the profile of St Vincent and the Grenadines as a destination for some temporary relief, whilst partaking in some way, in a sporting activity.

Therefore, the powers that be, namely Central Government though the St Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority, has more than adequate time to get the country ready for another Swimming Championships.

This, as we endeavour to maximise every iota of positive return that accrue from the championships.

It is that good look feeling that engenders national pride, whilst making good of the trickle-downs.

But as we plan for 2025, let us not forget the International Masters Cricket Festival, which ties in with the annual Independence celebrations.

Like the Swimming Championships, that too proved a success, as the 2024 edition drew teams from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, the USA, Canada, along with the Vincentian outfit.

It is time that we begin to see sports as a viable economic avenue to pursue. Any more procrastination will see us going further and further to the back of the queue.