The irony of sporting facilities

A look at most of our playing facilities across St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) on a daily basis, particularly after 4 pm, would reveal below normal occupancy of the facilities.

The observation has been ongoing, hence, the issues and restrictions associated with the heightened

Covid-19 period (2020 and 2021), as well as the current heat wave we are experiencing, are not factored in.

This column’s concerns relative to the fall off in people having this urge to get on the playing fields, against the hue and cry of yesteryear that there is a shortage of sporting facilities to suffice the demand of the young population especially.

Therefore, with the emerging trends of empty and underutilized playing facilities, do we still have a shortage?

The biggest question though is what has caused persons, especially the young population, not to hold participation in physical activities and sports as priority.

Yes, there is a juggle for time, given the lure of social media and its infectious ingredients.

Also, the gradual lessening of community-based groups and clubs, as individualism is taking root in our society, thus, organized sports in the villages and towns, are slowing but surely diminishing.

Readily, some people would apportion blame on the decrease in regular activities to the fact that some playing facilities have restrictive use (and rightly so).

Despite the cause or causes for the noticeable decline, some effort has to be made to address it.

That sense of meaning must be once again attached to sports and physical activities, not only to ultilise the investments made by government and its associate agencies, but to have Vincentians engaged in some sort of movements of their body parts on a regular basis.

Unfortunately, the well-intended Vincy Moves, spearheaded by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, has blown hot and cold, similar to the much- touted Caribbean Wellness Day, some years ago.

As declared when launched about one year ago, the objective of Vincy Moves was to use the initiative to help in combatting Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

But Vincy Moves is not the be all and end all to fill once again, the many playing fields and hard courts that have been erected and are available for public use.

Despite a few disciplines, such as Track and Field, Swimming and to some extent Squash,

Sports generally in St Vincent and the Grenadines is in dire need of a resurgence and renaissance.

The sports clubs and community organisations have to redouble their efforts to get things going again.

Therefore, it would not hurt for concerned groupings to have a community day of sports, inclusive of fun games etc.

Churches also, as well as the many businesses can do likewise and have their own internal and inter- church/ denominational and inter- businesses sporting extravaganzas.

Hopefully, their input will trigger a wider national response, as national associations piggy back on the efforts of these institutions.

Working towards a more sociable and healthy nation, using sports as one of the vehicles, is the responsibility of all sectors of the Vincentian society.

St Vincent and the Grenadines has to rekindle the passion for sports once more; utilizing every square centimetre of all the playing fields and hard courts can be the starter.

In so doing, the policy makers and relevant authorities will be pricked to take a better look at sports and its importance to national development.

But the power lies in those who can sway the interest of the youthful population; those who can influence change, redirect the youngsters’ mindset and have them put a new lease on the life of sports here in St Vincent and the Grenadines.