St. Vincent and the Grenadines has joined Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and St. Lucia as one of the regional territories which has adopted the Sport for Life programme.{{more}}

The programme, which aims to provide sport, education and healthy lifestyle training to disadvantaged children who are failing to reach their potential at school was launched last Friday, February 19, at the media centre at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex.

The non profit organization’s headquarters is based at the media centre of the complex.

Present at Friday’s launch, along with various sporting organizations, parents and students, were Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and Lord Richard Newby, Director of the United Kingdom Sport for Life programme.

Lord Newby said that he hoped the programme would benefit children in the Caribbean who would improve their learning abilities through sports.

“The key thing is to inspire children and young people that learning and other disciplines that come with sports is worth the effort, and that the end result would be to enhance their own lives and make their lives more enjoyable and more productive and more beneficial to society.”

He said the program can only be successful if everyone gets involved.

Prime Minister Gonsalves described the organization as a wonderful addition to groups that are involved in similar programmes around the country and suggested that the programme be extended around the country as it develops.

“Perhaps as this project becomes successful, if it is possible, you could use this model and the structured way in which you are implementing it, at secondary schools and learning resource centers around the country.”

“I am sure you should be able to secure some very well run programmes.”

He affirmed the government’s support of the program and said that he is looking forward to other agencies getting involved with the project.

Apart from being involved in sporting activities (primarily cricket at this stage), the students will be involved in academic work as well as healthy lifestyle education.

The programme will initially take place on Saturday, but will extend to after school sessions later this year.

The Sport for Life Program is implemented at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago, the Kensington Oval in Barbados and the Beausejour Cricket Ground in St. Lucia.(JJ)