Vincy Moves launches tomorrow at Arnos Vale

An initiative to lead the psyche of Vincentians into a state of health consciousness, will be launched tomorrow, Saturday, October 22 at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex, under the theme: “ Let’s Get Moving”.

As a precursor to the official launch ceremony, people from all across St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), will have the option of participating in a walk or run from 1:00 p.m, as groupings trek from the Lowmans Leeward Hard Court, the Belmont Look Out and from Gitts Supermarket in Prospect, accompanied by music trucks, to the tarmac of the decommissioned E.T Joshua Airport.

There, they will witness the “ Tarmac Run”, as Team Athletics SVG, one of the driving forces behind the initiative, will stage a set of race events, from 2:00 p.m, involving athletes from the primary, secondary school levels and an open category.

Accordingly, primary school athletes will compete for honours in a 1.5km run; secondary schools, 3km and the open category, 5km.
Following the Tarmac Run participants will journey together to the Arnos Vale Sports Complex in a show of solidarity in the fight against non-communicable diseases.

Giving an insight into the events at Arnos Vale, Chief Health Promotions Officer, Shanika John at the recent pre- launch of the event promised that once participants get to Arnos Vale “It will be a healthy village atmosphere”.

She said apart from the official ceremony that will hear speeches from political figures, there will be healthy Vincentians foods and drinks, health screening, a wide variety of traditional and contemporary recreational and sporting activities, including dance and aerobics.

John also said that paraphernalia will be available to all persons who are part of the launch. Furthermore, participation in the activities is free of charge.

Meanwhile, President of Team Athletics SVG, Keith Joseph said at the pre-launch earlier this week that “The launch sees a coming together of the major players in health and wellness around the country – the several departments of the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, national sports associations, fitness groups of all varieties,community groups, schools and religious groupings”.

Underscoring the need to offer everyone an opportunity to participate, Joseph noted that “arrangements are being made to be inclusive of persons who are physically challenged, in Saturday’s activities”.

Vincy Moves is an extension of a wider Caribbean undertaking dubbed: “ Caribbean Moves”, which was launched last month by the Caribbean by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CAPHRA).
Caribbean Moves is an off shoot of Jamaica Moves, founded in 2008.