On Friday 11th October, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports on Nevis, Mr. Keith Glasgow and the Ag. Director of Sports, Mr. Jamir Claxton, sat down in an exclusive interview with NTV Sports to report on a recent meeting that they both attended.
The very important meeting was held in St. George’s in Grenada from the 3rd to 4th October. It was a meeting of OECS Ministers and Directors of Sports. Mr. Glasgow filled in for Junior Minister of Sports, Mrs. Hazel Brandy-Williams who was unable to attend.
Both gentlemen elaborated on some of the issues that were discussed at the meeting and highlighted two draft resolutions that were tabled.
- Draft resolution to establish an OECS Institute of Sports
“Whereas the OECS Ministers and Directors recognize the importance of sports as a vehicle for improving the physical well being, social cohesion and economic condition of the people of the OECS member states AND whereas the OECS Sports Ministers and Directors recognize the national, regional and international acclaim which can be realized from the outstanding performance of athletes from the region And
Whereas the OECS Sports Ministers and Directors recognize the significant benefits to be derived from strengthening the sports education and training system for administrators, athletes; officials, technicians and support staff in the sector, AND
Whereas the OECS sports Ministers and Directors recognize the benefits of conducting scientific research in the sports and related sectors to guide the decision making processes at the national and regional levels AND
Whereas the OECS Sports Ministers and Directors recognize the specific roles of the various key stakeholders in the region, but the necessity for partnering for the development of the sports sector, be it RESOLVED THAT
OECS Governments will seek to partner with National Olympic committees, the Caribbean Association of national Olympic Associations; regional sports federations such as the West Indies Cricket Board, Caribbean sports development Association and other regional sports entities to develop a concept paper for the establishment of an OECS institute of sports that will provide quality sports education and training services to key stakeholders including governments and sports and recreational entities and any other goods and services demanded by the OECS Ministers of sports.”
The understanding is that a school will be established for the training of athletes and other key stakeholders within the OECS region
- Final resolution to strengthen regional Netball program
“ Whereas the OECS Ministers and Directors acknowledge the significant role played by the sport of Netball over the years, in the lives of many women and girls and whereas the OECS Sports Ministers and Directors acknowledge the outstanding performance of many OECS Netball athletes and administrators over the years and whereas the OECS Sports Ministers and Directors of Sports agree that most member states are now recording a decline in the level of participation and performance in the sport of Netball-be it resolved that OECS member states mandate their Ministries of Sports to
- Provide the technical and other support for the strengthening of National Netball Associations
- Provide support for the establishment of an OECS Netball Association
- Provide greater support for training and support for all Netball coaches and officials
- Provide greater support for the development of the schools’ Netball program
- Facilitate a reinstitution of the OECS Netball tournament and support the general development of netball wit consideration for a regional ranking and incentive system”
In light of the resolution, both gentlemen committed the full support of the Nevis Sports Department in developing regular Netball competitions in the Primary and Secondary schools and within the various communities throughout the island. They also committed to fully supporting the Nevis Netball Association in the administration of the Sport on the island and ensuring that the Grell Hull -Stevens Netball Complex is rehabilitated and specific systems put in place for its future maintenance and security.
- A partnership agreement between the WICB and the OECS Governments
1. “WICB will make available trained coaches to work in the education system
2. WICB will make available contracted players for motivational appearances with young people
3. WICB will provide a 3-year outline of schedule of cricket to governments
4. WICB will facilitate governments gaining increased opportunities in television broadcast to showcase tourism product
5. WICB will enforce more stringent control over pitch preparation for international cricket
6 WICB to set out a standardized policy for government access to international cricket matches
7. WICB and OECS countries will explore opportunities for tri -partite partnership for execution of developmental programs aligned to the structure of the Sandals Foundation/WICB under 15 High performance Camps presently being held annually in Antigua and Barbuda and St.Lucia
8. WICB and OECS countries will collaborate to strengthen women’s cricket in the OECS
9. WICB and OECS countries will discuss a methodology for skills; expertise and resource sharing with regard to raising profiles of cricket and tourism destinations
10. WICB and OECS countries will explore use of dormitory facilities for hosting teams for regional age group tournaments
11. WICB and OECS countries will explore the request to grant tax exemptions and rebates—airline, hotel and airport departure for players and officials.’
Towards the end of the interview, Claxton also announced that Coca Cola is currently undertaking a world cup promotion, leading up to the 2014 world cup and will be touching some 88 courtiers including St.Kitts and Nevis
The world cup trophy will be in the Federation of St.Kitts and Nevis on Saturday October 19th and interested persons on both islands will have an opportunity to view the trophy up close and take photographs. The possibility of bringing the trophy to Nevis was explored but that was negated due to security concerns.
The action will be at the Silver Jubilee Stadium and it will be a full day of activities which will include a grass roots festival which will include 40 young footballers from Nevis and a five a side completion which will include CCC Bath United.
He also indicated that a Leeward Islands competition for schools is being worked on which will feature action in various sports over a possible ten day period.