Yes please and thank you

An undertaking by Team Athletics SVG to facilitate the reconstruction of a modern long and triple jump facility at the Grammar School Playing Field, is very much welcomed.

The installation of a 45-metre synthetic mat and a redesigning and upgrade of the existing sand pit, are the major improvements that were made.Much though must be said of the efforts and tenacity of former national athlete Orde Ballantyne, whose idea it was to gave birth to the new and improved long jump/triple jump facility.

Given the green light by Team Athletics SVG, Ballantyne sought to raise the $19 000 needed to finance the project.He, after being blanked by members of the local corporate community who were solicited, tapped on Vincentians living overseas, namely North America, and with other locals and the schools within the precincts of the Grammar School Playing Field, the sum was realised.In a major way, the long jump/triple jump facility adds value to the playing field, which overtime has been gradually seeing additions.

Now, this new facility allows for competitions in the jumps, as there exists the international requirements.

The provision of the long jump/triple jump facility can only augur well for the development of the two disciplines, as it provides an outlet for potential athletes whose latent talents can be unearthed. Additionally, those who are already in train in the events, thus enhancing their skills set.Whilst there was a similar project done at the Arnos Vale Playing Field some years ago, this one has the potential to be more impactful.

This is so because the Grammar School Playing Field is high traffic, with two primary schools (CW Prescod Primary) and four secondary schools (Girls’ High School, the St Vincent Grammar School, the Intermediate High School and Thomas Saunders) in close proximity.

It is therefore opportune for the schools in the area to fully utilise the facility.Children are innately adventurous and would experiment at the lateral jumps and with the interest spawned, would come the formal coaching and fine-tuning of the skill.Hopefully, we can see the emergence of someone who was just waiting for such a facility to be erected in the capital.

It is also opportune for coaches, many of whom are certified jumps coaches, to take it up as a project to at least produce one long jumper or a triple jumper from scratch, and not only facilitating the bringing forth of new talents, but taking them beyond these shores, and possibly into stardom.

This possibility is strengthened by recent history, with the natural emergence of the promising Nicky Ann Stephens, just over six years ago, in the triple jump.

However, her talent was not fully exploited, and for whatever reason, she faded out of the sport, albeit still a teenager.She is just one of the many examples of fading lights, which all things being equalled, should be minimised to single digit occurrences.

Therefore, the efforts Ballantyne, a bronze medallist in the Under-20 long jump at the 1981 Junior Carifta Games in the Bahamas, and who also represented St Vincent and the Grenadines at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, USA, and others who contributed in bringing to fruition, the long jump/ triple jump facility, should amount to tangible compensation.

Other than the provision of such a facility that would not only improve athletes’ skills in the long and triple jumps, the goal is for St Vincent and the Grenadines to at least medal at an international meet, in the not too distant future.

It is not beyond the ambitions and capacity of our people; it only needs that will to achieve.And, history is in our corner, as the records reveal that St Vincent and the Grenadines has been most successful at the field events at the annual junior Carifta Games, which dates back to 1972.