New Grenada Government to focus on Sports in school

Jan 16, 2009 Sports

National Sports policy to be ratified by mid-year

By Sean Devers in Grenada
Conrad Francis, Grenada’s Acting Coordinator of Sports in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Culture and Sports in the Island’s new Government told Kaieteur Sports in an exclusive interview from his St George’s office on Tuesday that this year emphasis will be placed on sports at school level.
The 51-year-old, who has also worked in the Sports Ministry with the previous Keith Mitchell Government which lost power on July 8 last year, added that the new Government is very serious about sports development on the 133sqaure-mile Island adding that the much anticipated National Sports Policy should be ratified after consultations with the stakeholders by mid-year.

Conrad Francis

“Our Minister of Sports (Hon Patrick Simmons) is a relatively young person who has been involved in sports all of his life. He is in his mid forties and has brought new vigor and enthusiasm to the area of sports. Sports have always been important to Grenada and although we are a small nation we rank very high in the world in sports per capita. Our new Government has embarked on a serious programme to further develop Sports in this country,” Francis explained.
The Sports budget has not yet been approved and it is understood that it might be less than what was allocated in the last budget but Francis does not feel this will be adversely affect his Ministry’s plans.
“One of the strong points of this Government is that it has asked each area to prioritize to cut out on wastage with a view to better spending on key areas,” Francis disclosed.
He informed that our the years the focus was on developing sports in the Primary school but since it was noticed that students are now attending Secondary School at a younger age than before, the Government will be conducting age-group training since it is important to target the 13-17 age group,” Francis pointed out.
Francis opined that to produce good sportspersons, good facilities are required and revealed that the improving of sports facilities Island-wide is high on the agenda of the Sports Ministry for 2009.
“In the past too many things have been done in an add-hock manner and the implementation of the national Sports policy will guide us in the right direction by providing guidelines for the Federations who want to access Government funds. When completed the Sports policy will be an important step in the right direction for the improvement of Sports in Grenada,” Francis said.
He added that another priority is the lighting of playing fields and disclosed that by the first quarter of the year the lighting of one playing field in each area will commence.
He added that while the National Stadium is the flagship, the country has a top quality athletic and football ground next to the Stadium and several ‘very good’ grounds in the various parishes.
“Cricket is our national sport and in our effort to take the game to the country areas, Progress Park will become the Island’s third First-Class venue on Friday when the Windward Islands face Barbados in Grenada. While for sure it will not be done this year, talks have started to have lights at the Stadium so that we can have night matches there. The infrastructure for lighting is already in place at the Stadium,” Francis informed.
Francis said that the Government has the responsibility to not only help to develop sports on the Island but to assist with funding for national teams since the benefit of Grenada being advertised as a destination for sports tourism when Grenada athletes do well on the International stage cannot be measured in money.
“Yes we do assist with funding for the Federations since after all the fame and the glory when our sportspersons do well goes to Grenada. We cannot measure the cost of what Devon Smith or Andre Fletcher does for us when they publicize Grenada on International Television when they play for the West Indies but at the same time funds are limited and we try to give more for travel and so on for some of the smaller associations. Football and Track and Field are supported by the International Federations and we don’t have to do too much when their players travel. Our sportspersons are of benefit to the nation and we have to take care of them,” Francis pointed out.
Francis added that associations must show accountability and development if they want to utilize in addition to sponsorship from the business community.
“Generally, the business sector provides sponsorship but we are a small society and they have to help not only sports but other areas too with their limited funds. If the Federations want us to help they must also put their house in order,” Francis said.
“We are satisfied with some Federations ….but they are in the minority ….most of the sports administrators are volunteers and they do it at their whims and fancy and we have to change that culture and get more persons involved in Sports Administration courses if they want to gain positions on local Federations.
Football, which has its own staff and office, is the best run Federation while Athletics is also well organised. The Ministry has pledged assistance in helping the others to improve and we have set guidelines for them to adhere to,” Francis continued.
Francis’ wish for 2009 is to see the facilities developed to a first class level while he is excited about the Sports Policy.
“I want to see Devon Smith and Andre Fletcher back on the West Indies team and performing well. I have high hopes for local 16-year-old 400 meters track star Kirani James who won a silver medal with a time of 45.70 seconds at the World Junior Games last year.
He has the ability to become our first Olympic medal winner at the 2012 Olympics in London and the entire nation is excited about him.
I also hope that we can do well at the inaugural Caribbean Games this year in Trinidad where we will be represented in Track and Field, Netball, Boxing and Tennis,” Francis said.
“The Government is also running off an under-15 cricket competition throughout the Island and coaching in schools and off-the-field preparations are important components of this programme which we hope will produce more Junior Murrays, Devon Smiths, Rawle Lewis and Andre Fletchers.” Francis concluded.