Adding more to sporting facilities, physical structures

ST VINCENT AND THE Grenadines boasts close to one hundred sporting facilities, inclusive of playing fields and hard courts.

These facilities are strewn all over the multi- island state, providing avenues for people wanting to engage in physical activities and are venues for both sporting, cultural and religious functions.

The multi- purpose nature of these facilities, given the population of the country, are adequate and in the main suffice the needs of users.

However, as time progresses and the emergence of possibilities, the current facilities are becoming limited in their offer for physical activities.

Hence, this column is calling for some upgrades that are within the pocket reach of the custodians of these facilities, namely the National Sports Council (NSC) and the National Lotteries Authority.

In addition to these entities, sporting organisations, as well as the Ministry of Health, can collaborate with the NSC and embark on enhancing these facilities.

Among them is the erection of monkey bars, swings along with others implements, to facilitate and complement training of teams, walkers, and others.

These can also be fixtures on other recreational, beautification spots, and on beaches.

Relatedly, synergies must be formed among the state agencies and other support groups to have playing facilities retrofitted with mini gyms, exercise mats among other equipment.

These can be income generating for the parties involved, as the playing facilities become a one stop shop for its casual users.

As a country, we have to adapt to these changes and make the corrective adjustments to the status quo, as the country continues to grapple with the scourges of Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

And it is often reasoned that our people are not as active as they ought to be, and getting our population moving is a plausible outlet for a reduction in the incidence of NCDs.

Also of relevance is the extension of hours available to walkers and fitness enthusiasts who utilize playing fields to carry out their exercise regimens.

It therefore would not hurt for the installation of lighting to the facilities.

The world is forever changing and there are inexpensive LED or solar operated fixtures that can allow for lighting of our playing fields and hard courts.

Such adjuncts will allow for those persons who work late to put in their hours of physical activities as they are now flexible to do so and there is no rush and competition with their work hours.

Of note too for consideration is the matter of wheelchair accessibility, as many of the existing sporting facilities are not friendly to persons with physical disabilities.

Indeed, we must move the way of inclusion and cater for all users, ablebodied and those who are not so able. Then, there is the matter of identification of the different amenities found at these sporting facilities, as signage is nonexistent.

It is a common occurrence for persons not familiar with the venue, to be asking for the location of restrooms and other facilities.

The absence of the above-mentioned contrivances, places St Vincent and the Grenadines almost at the back of the line relative to sporting development, and relevance to modern day approaches to physical activities and sports.

Accordingly, as a country we must keep pace with some of the developments as we endeavour to claim the status of becoming a healthy nation.

In all the advanced proposals, this column is cognizant that those who matter most- the decision makers are either myopic or nonchalant of sports, physical literacy and the indefinite benefits of a healthy St Vincent and the Grenadines.