Special Olympics on revival path

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Special Olympics movement is on a revival path.{{more}}

And, as part of the re-building process, Director of Sports and Training of Special Olympics Caribbean, Trinidadian David Benjamin, paid a two-day visit here last Friday and Saturday to meet the relevant authorities, and to assist the local organization in its efforts.

Benjamin, in an interview with SEARCHLIGHT last Friday afternoon, at Frenches House, said that the lull in activity and the disconnect between the Board and the coaches resulted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines not being able to participate in the Special Olympics World Summer Games, which are set for Athens, Greece, from June 25 to July 4.

“I am here to give the local organization the information on what is happening on a regional and international basis and to network with all the players who are the stakeholders, and we can get organizations which are outside the loop of Special Olympics involved, so that as we launch forward, there will be a greater thrust to the athletes of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,”Benjamin affirmed.

As part of the capacity building process to be undertaken by the local Special Olympics, Benjamin revealed: “In the next month to six weeks, we will be having a coaching course for all coaches and those who are interested in becoming coaches for Special Olympics”.

“We do not only want persons who want to become coaches, but persons who have been coaching already, to give of their time”, Benjamin added.

Acknowledging that funding has always been a need in all endeavours, Benjamin said that his organization plans to share best practices in fund raising, which have worked with success regionally and internationally, with the local Special Olympics organization.

The regional Special Olympics Sports and Training Director voiced that the local body has to look outside of the traditional corporate partners, which have a natural affinity for Special Olympics, to broaden its financial resource pool.

Benjamin, who has worked in that field for the last two decades, said because the scope of the Special Olympics is not small business and remains one of the best organized world sporting events, those involved must seek to build capacity in every sphere of their operations.

Chairman of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines revised Board of Special Olympics, Errol Allen, told SEARCHLIGHT that his organization, in its re-activation, sought to touch base with members who were on the previous board, and they indicated their willingness to serve, hence the renewed energies.

Anthony Yorke, who is the current Vice Chairman and Public Relations Officer, and who was part of the former Board of Directors, said he will bring to bear the experiences of the previous configuration in helping to chart the course of the new set up.

Yorke promised a more vibrant organization this time around, one which is results oriented.

Also forming part of the local Special Olympics Organisation are Secretary – Anthony Mc Kenzie; Treasurer – Roxanne Knights, and Prospective National Director Cecily Norris.

The Board of Directors is completed by Terrance Davis – an athlete, Woodrow Williams, representative of the Department of Sports and Physical Education, Leroy Lewis – representative of the Rotary Club and Janice Mc Master, Families Coordinator.