National Sporting Federations in Barbados have been urged to ensure their athletes compete consistently and excel at the regional level before moving on to international competition.
The call came from Minister of Sports Charles Griffith during a three-and-a-half-hour meeting with national federations on Saturday morning at his offices at Sky Mall in Haggatt Hall, St Michael.
Minister Griffith also emphasised the importance of national federations utilising junior programmes to ensure the sustainability of their various disciplines in the medium and long term.
Members of the various federations had the opportunity to share their views. (Photo Credit: ZM)
He said government has played its part by offering $20 000 in grant funding to all federations with such developmental programmes and he is looking forward to the results.
Minister Griffith also told the leaders of the national federations to closely monitor what their coaches are doing for their athletes, adding that “world class athletes require world class coaches.”
In this regard, Minister Griffith has pledged to ensure that a Community Coaches Programme by the Ministry of Sports and Community Empowerment comes on board shortly.
He also suggested that a Coaching of Coaches Programme in several disciplines for the federations could go a long way in correcting some of the problems athletes are facing.
The sports minister also urged the national federations to have a keen eye out for talent identification in their disciplines, by earmarking an individual or individuals to be in charge of this process.
“There is a need for talent identification and mentoring of children in sports in Barbados because if we won’t mentor them, then the streets will mentor them and we know how that will turn out,” Minister Griffith said.
He suggested that too many federations select players for national duty only from the top divisions of the sports, whilst ignoring charges with great skill sets in lower divisions that can be developed into international talents with the right coaching methods.
“Monitor and standardise what is happening in your respective discipline and ascertain what is required going forward,” said Minister Griffith as he further urged the national federations to support the soon to be launched Sports App by the Ministry of Sports and Community Empowerment.
He stressed that it’s been created for their benefit, as well as for Barbadians and tourists alike, who would be able to know what sporting events are taking place on the island on a daily basis.
The national federations also heard from Sports Development Officer, Stephen Rowe, about how athletes could access the Scholastic Aptitude Test Scholarship Programme offered by the Ministry of Sports and Community Empowerment, for entry into US universities.
The meeting with the National Sporting Federations was also attended by Director of Sports at the National Sports Council, Neil Murrell, Deputy Director, Emmerson Bascombe and other officials of the Ministry of Sports and Community Empowerment.
(PT)
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