Browne calls for talent search programme in sports

Cognisant of the poor returns of national sporting teams, Minister of Sports, Mike Browne, is calling for a search and rescue approach to addressing the situation.{{more}}

Browne made his feelings known while addressing a press conference last Tuesday morning as he reported on his visit to the 29th Olympiad in Beijing, China, among other developments.

He said that such a venture was needed in light of the anti-social developments that are taking place in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Browne called for a comprehensive talent search programme to seek out potential sportsmen and women.

He acknowledged the need to constantly build from the bottom, as it was important to get the youths involved in the various disciplines at an early age.

Browne noted that many of the sporting activities done here, whilst instutionalised, are routinealised.

He, therefore, proposed a “paradigm shift” in the way things are done.

The Sports Minister said that if this was to be done, there must be a corresponding substantial financial input.

Browne, on his China sojourn, witnessed the performance of the two Vincentian athletes, Kineke Alexander and Jared Lewis. Alexander clocked 52.87 seconds in her 400m preliminary to finish fourth, while Lewis placed seventh in his heat in 11 seconds.

Neither athlete advanced to the next phase, but Browne hailed their appearance as one that should inspire to other athletes.

He proposed that this country endeavours to field a stronger team when England hosts the four year world spectacle in 2012.

While in China, Browne, apart from viewing the Games and attending the Commonwealth Ministers of Sports Conference, revealed that he held informal discussions with the Ministers of Sports from Grenada and St. Lucia. (RT)