SVG could have cashed in Baylors’ celebration

The nation is still beaming with pride from Sophia Young’s spectacular performance on television last week Tuesday. The Layou born woman completed part of her dream when she led Baylors University Lady Bears to the NCAA championship.

Basketball is a way of life on the American circuit, and with the rest of the world exposed to every aspect of that nation’s culture, it is no surprise that the indoctrination is taking hold worldwide.{{more}}

Even with the depth of the game in the United States of America, they have to keep up with other nations which are catching up with the technique and style of new coaching manuals.

Competition for top spots at the US level reaches intensity. It is big business in every sense.

Bragging rights offer as much as financial rewards. It determines who rules the roost or in other parlance, who run things. Celebrations for the Baylor victory are said to have been the biggest ever, and I dare say, given the passion the games carries, the culmination of the season with such amazing success makes winners the envy of contenders.

Local basketball coach Wayne Williams has emphasised the impact of Sophia Young’s contribution to the team’s success. He thinks that St. Vincent and the Grenadines could have cashed in on the jubilation with Kevin Lyttle flown in for the occasion, and the opportunity seized to invite the entire Baylor Bears squad to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

He is convinced that basketball has the capacity to enhance sports tourism in a way that can bring enormous economic benefits.

He has been a silent practitioner over the years, and longs for fulfillment of a mission.

His efforts appear to be bearing fruit though.

The opportunities for exposure abroad, and sports as an escape route to an expanding generation keen on ladders to progress must be seized upon.

Those responsible for sports have to be on the ball, as much as the athletes on the field of play. It is common place for sports personalities to endorse and enhance their country’s tourism drive.

Recognition of four sporting icons: Nixon McLean, Skiddy Francis Crick, Cameron Cuffy and Pamenos Ballantyne are signals in the right direction. Their ascension to ambassadorial level marks a measure of respect, deserved for our dynamic personalities. Calls have been made for additions, and Adonal Foyle emerged as a worthy candidate.

A similar echo may soon be heard for Sophia Young and in time to come Sancho Lyttle will force her name into contention.

The trend of overall and genuine appreciation of sporting stalwarts must be enveloped and developed, and the injections to assist sporting personalities ought to intensify.

The National Stadium Project is beginning to take shape. It is a pity that so many obstacles had to be overcome before the venture could have gotten to whatever distance.

The cry resounds for fulfillment of community needs, and the provision of sporting facilities must be seen as vital in any settlement. Its importance in balancing the human being has been proven. No matter how gifted one might be, their talents have to be nurtured and harnessed.

And even when they begin to blossom, we have to deepen the protective process so as to ensure the complete crop. Sophia Young is one of those, and Sancho Lyttle is moving in that direction. A number of others are waiting and must be afforded the latitude to spread their wings.