Football still needs a home

Finding a home for Football is still on the cards, and the Brighton Playing Field is the preferred option available to the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation.{{more}}

This was disclosed by Manager of the National Sports Council (NSC) Osbourne Browne to SEARCHLIGHT recently, as a follow up to his remarks made at the 2009 National Sports Awards, Saturday, April 17, at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex.

Browne stated that the Brighton facility, with its close proximity to Argyle, where the international airport is being constructed, provides a near perfect location for a field for the sport.

Browne also said that it is well grassed and simply needs fencing and a few pavilions to complete.

A home for Football has been a topical issue for the popular mass sport.

At the disposal of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation is a FIFA grant of US$450,000, as a Goal Project fund. However, this country is yet to fully capitalize on this.

An attempt was made to purchase a piece of land to construct an administrative complex in the Quarry area. However, this was embroiled in a legality battle over the land, which was recently resolved.

The NSC Manager at last Saturday’s ceremony said that his organisation had embarked on a strategic programme of lighting of the playing facilities across the state.

Among those which are in line for lighting are the Keartons Playing Field, Buccament, Stubbs, South Rivers, Chili, Cane End, London, Keartons,the Richland Park hardcourt, a choice between Cumberland and Petit Bordel, and the Richmond Hill Playing Field.

The latter, he said, would take some of the burden off the Victoria Park.

Browne also reiterated the need to complete the naming of the unnamed pavilions at the main Arnos Vale Playing Field.

Among the pavilions which are unnamed are the double decker, the President’s Suite, the Players Pavilion, and the Media Centre.

He suggested the names of Winston Davis, F.O. Mason, Dr. Gideon Cordice and Lennox John as worthy persons in whose honour the pavilions should be named. (RT)