NSC Chairman wants changes

Chairman of the National Sports Council Carlton James is advocating a revamping in the management structure of the statutory body.{{more}}

James made his recommendation last Saturday as he addressed the Sports Symposium at the President’s Suite at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

James stated that the time has come for some young and energetic persons to be involved in the day to day operations of the Council.

The NSC chairman, like a man at work, pointed to the need to hit the nail on its head. He believed that when that happens, “there will be casualties”.

He made a call for the Council to be more vibrant and to fashion itself to be in sync with the demands of this era.

James bemoaned the fact that there is not a central place where students and others interested in sports data can gather information on the development and progress of Sports in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Zooming in on one of the key mandates of the Council, that of the nation’s playing facilities, he pointed to the need for decisions over the use of the Council’s facilities to be made in the national interest.

Forthright in his delivery, James acknowledged that there are some issues confronting the smooth running of the Council.

When asked by SEARCHLIGHT to elaborate on his observations, James was frank, stating, “All is not well in the Council”.

Pressed into giving further details, James said he preferred to leave it at that. He, however, pointed to the present organizational structure of a manager, then most of the other personnel are basically junior members of staff.

The one day Sports Symposium brought together several national sporting associations, area committees, other stakeholders, as well as persons who have an interest in Sports.

Making presentations at the Symposium were Minister of Sports Mike Browne, Director of Sports and Physical Education Nelson Hillocks, Manager of the National Sports Council Osbourne Browne and Sports Administrator Cecil Mc Kie.

Several ideas were generated from the floor, as those present made their feelings known and offered suggestions on the way forward for sports in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

It was held under the theme “Building relationships among the Sporting Disciplines, the National Sports Council, the National Lotteries Authority and the Division of Sports”.

Another symposium is expected to be convened in a few months as the checklist of requests will be examined. (RT)