New covered sporting facility coming for SVG

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is in line to get another covered sporting facility.

And, this country’s first and only NBA player, Adonal Foyle, through his Kerosene Lamp Foundation (KLF) is spearheading that move.{{more}}

The KLF October issue stated: “We are putting together the plans to build a learning center and covered basketball court to provide kids in St. Vincent and the Grenadines with a safe place to learn and play after school.”

“This will mark the start of KLF’s ongoing presence in SVG and help us make a more significant and lasting positive impact on children’s lives,” the KLF release further stated.

The release, without detailing the proposed site for the facility, also said that the KLF is in the process of raising the necessary funds to make the project a reality.

Foyle, who retired from the professional game last August after 13 years in the NBA, has since been appointed as the Director of Player Development of the Orlando Magic.

This revelation comes on the heels of an announcement last week, made by Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves, that a multi- purpose Indoor Sporting Complex will be soon constructed.

The site earmarked by the government is the Old Anglican School Annexe, located on Lower Bay Street in the capital, Kingstown.

Gonsalves said that he has instructed the National Lotteries Authority to purchase the building which is owned by the National Properties Limited.

This proposal by the KLF is just the latest in a list of the foundation’s humanitarian out-reach efforts.

The KFL last July, took six budding Vincentian basketballers and two chaperones on a two-week camp to Orlando, Florida.

The six, aged 14-16, who were part of the All-Star Student Athletes (ASA) initiative, were Jemmile France – Bequia; Zanif Sandy – Canouan; Nemiah Alexander – Mayreau; Consolo Adams – Barrouallie; Leandru Edwards – Calliaqua; and Azizah Stowe – Union Island.

The six were selected by their coaches from previous Basketball camps held here by Foyle, called the Athletics and Academics Island Camps.

And as a follow up, local mentors have been identified to work with them individually.

Also among the plans are quarterly meetings to bring them together to spend time with one another; discuss the books that they are reading; learn from successful business people in their community; and to instill a sense of community spirit.

The ASA programme is designed to turn promising young basketball players into successful student-athletes and provide future opportunities for scholarships to help pave the way for their individual success. (RT)