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| EDITORIAL (April 19th, 2009) |
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| Sunday, 19 April 2009 15:50 | |||
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NDC GOVERNMENT BACKS BID TO HOST 2011 JUNIOR CARIFTA GAMES The performances of our young athletes at the just-concluded Junior CARIFTA Games in St. Lucia have demonstrated a commitment of the National Democratic Congress government that sports will remain an important component of youth development in Grenada. The NDC congratulates the exploits of our participants, including the officials. They made us proud over the Easter weekend, despite not surpassing our previous best haul of 18 medals won when Grenada hosted the Games in 2000. It was a delight for Grenadians to watch and listen to their star athletes in Kirani James and Rondell Bartholomew competing over the 400 metres, and to hear the many accolades that were bestowed on them from the commentators and regional and international sporting officials. Importantly, James was able to secure the prestigious Austin Sealy Award as the Most Outstanding Athlete from the 38th edition of the Games.
Sports Minister Hon. Patrick Simmons and Social Development Minister Hon. Glynis Roberts were among officials who greeted the Grenada team on their arrival at Point Salines International Airport following the athletes’ return from St. Lucia.
Hon. Simmons, who spoke on behalf of the NDC government, reiterated the commitment of the National Democratic Congress to provide the necessary infrastructure for the development of sports throughout the nation. The Minister, who is also the NDC’s Parliamentary Representative for St. Andrew South East and himself a former national athlete, briefly outlined his ministry’s vision for sports, including a proposed talent identification programme.
“We will be able to help with the development not only in terms of your talent but also your nutrition, academic enhancement, and psychological preparation in relationship to your personal development,’’ the Sports Minister told the successful Grenada team.
The reality of Hon. Simmons’ comments will be enforced when the NDC administration finalises the arrangement with the Chinese Government for the reconstruction of the football and track and field stadium at Queen’s Park. He promised that the Tillman Thomas-led administration will ensure the reconstruction of the stadium, and expressed government’s strong support for a bid by the Grenada Athletic Association to host the Junior CARIFTA Games in 2011.
The performance of the track and field team comes on the heels of the news that two Grenadian cricketers were named in the West Indies cricket team which has embarked on a tour of England. Batsman Devon Smith and bowler Nelon Pascal, who is making his international cricket debut, have an opportunity to create a niche in the cricket arena.
The NDC, under the leadership of political leader and Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, congratulates all our sportsmen and women who continue to raise our profile in the international sporting arena. The likes of Junior Murray, Rawl Lewis, Andre Fletcher, Smith, Pascal, Shalrie Joseph, Anthony Modeste, Alleyne Francique, Hazel-Ann Regis-Buckels, Neisha Bernard-Thomas, Sherry Fletcher, and our two recent sensations – James and Bartholomew – have all shared in the sporting glory in recent years.
The NDC understands the importance of sports in harnessing national pride and identity and among its election manifesto’s mission is the party’s vision for sports; a vision which includes entire families and communities benefiting socially, culturally and economically from the opportunities that sports offers.
Our Party clearly understands the importance of sports. We pledge to continue providing support to Grenadians who desire an opportunity to perform on the world stage and, in the process, win recognition for our nation. The NDC has already started the process of developing a National Sports Policy which will ensure the effective management and development of proper club structures, sporting disciplines and physical facilities.
The sports policy is only the first stage in a number of initiatives promised by the NDC government. Grenadians can also look forward to the establishment of a National Sports Council which will serve as the supreme management authority for sports in the nation.
NDC editorials are published twice per month, on the first and third Sunday at www.ndcgrenada.org We encourage members of the National Democratic Congress to submit editorials and commentaries for publication. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit submissions for clarity, length, etc. The next editorial will be published on Sunday, May 3.
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