Minister wants schools’ sports under his wings

Frederick Stephenson, Minister responsible for the Public Service, Consumer Affairs and Sports, in the Cabinet of St Vincent and the Grenadines, wants to be responsible for physical education and sports in the primary and secondary schools.

Stephenson made this clear in an interview recently.

“I am looking forward and hopefully that Cabinet will approve that physical education and sports, in the primary and secondary schools, should be part of the mandate of the ministry and hopeful that it moves from the Ministry of Education,” Stephenson declared.

Noting that the configuration over the years, has been, “somewhat of a challenge”, Stephenson aspires, “we are hopeful that with this new ministry that the schools and the Ministry of Education will work with the Ministry of Sports for the further advancement of sports in St Vincent and the Grenadines”.

The matter of physical education and sports not being under the ambit of the Ministry of Sports has always been a contentious one, and has resulted in spats among some government personnel.

Stephenson noted that he has a personal passion for physical education and sports, especially when it involves young people, hence his push for him to have them under his wings.

Stephenson, who is the parliamentary representative for South Windward, previously had the portfolio of sports from 2010 to 2012.