Harness what is before us, or else

AN AUDIT of each of the sporting disciplines practised here in St Vincent and the Grenadines will show there are some identifiable standouts- those who have shown exceptional abilities within the local landscape.

Without pointing them out individually, those who follow sports here will readily know their names and recognise their photos, as they are always featured in the media, both mainstream and social.

They get their public flowers, the limelight, and in between , a few people and companies occasionally make donations which are often publicized for their own advertisement.

But, invariably, it stops there as when the athletes are no longer in the highlight reel, they turn to another one.

Hence, our current situation is not new as over time we have seen youth sportsmen and women germinate, bear blossoms, but their God-given talents never bore fruits.

A recurring decimal, the repetition has been allowed to take root and become a normal operation.

Therefore, the trend has to be bucked as the talents do not make the lift to stardom, as the linkages are not made and the disconnect stays in place.

What has been missing is that development pathway to ensure athletes are nurtured throughout the various rungs.

This care is multifaceted, inclusive of financial, psychological and medical support, all in keeping with moving an athlete from one phase to another.

Yes, there have been efforts pursued in the past, notably via the coffers of the National Lotteries Authority, which ideally was set up to assist sports and culture.

Whilst to some extent several sportspeople and national sporting bodies have been the beneficiaries that Statutory body’s mandate has shifted drastically, thus the pie allocated for sports has seen its slice dwindle. In between, promises are made specifically by politicians each time an individual or team brings some form of winnings under the St Vincent and the Grenadines’ flag.

The mouthing is often not followed up with decisive and productive actions, and things revert to square one.

Most recently, current Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadine Dr. Godwin Friday reiterated his government’s intention to make good on a campaign promise of a National Athlete Support Programme( NASP). The NASPD will aim at providing structured, state assistance to athletes across St.Vincent and the Grenadines.The Vincentian populace was reminded of the planned initiative during Jamaica’s stand out Track athlete Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’ Cabinet call as part of a visit to SVG last month.

Set aside the nitty gritty of the NASP and the good sounding to the ear, one again must take it with a pinch of salt, as it is nothing new.

As such, Friday has to prove to the Vincentian sporting public that his pronouncement then was not just mere rhetoric for the occasion, especially in the company of the famed Fraser- Pryce.

Yes, indeed the NASPD is welcomed and once implemented will serve its purpose as well as provide hope for our budding sportsmen and women.

Our upcoming sporting talent pool is in dire need of that safety net that will allow them to train and compete without having many of their needs and wants met.

This column is cognisant that St Vincent and the Grenadines as a country is not endowed with limitless financial resources to provide to everyone. With that accepted as fact, something- it may not necessarily be the promised NASP- must be made operational soonest to harness the talent among us, otherwise another generation of athletes will fade into onetimers.