No doubts about it, Grenadians are sure to be excited come April 8 next year to see a long list of world track and field stars grace our national Athletic Stadium for the staging of the first Grenada International games.
Promoter, former Bahamian Olympic medalist, Chris Brown promises the isle of spice a pre run of the 2017 World athletics championship which is scheduled for London later in the year. Brown indicated that he has the capacity to attract the very best to compete in Grenada. Clearly if his plans materialize, most definitely, we are in for a very special treat – an event to remember.
The prospects are that we could see the likes of our own Kirani James contesting a star studded 400 meters as well as a once in a life time opportunity to sit in our stadium and see a showdown among some of the fastest men and women in the one and two hundred meters.
The press launch was impressive with the principal organizers putting their reputation on the line highlighting their plans for a meet which they predict shall be second to none. Promoter Chris Brown is a high profile elite athlete who successfully staged a similar International meet in his own country last year.
Originator of the event, sports journalist Michael Bascombe sold the idea to Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, are both are confident that Grenada has a top quality product. I am sure the government will efficiently play its part making this inaugural track meet extraordinary.
The cost of staging this international track event is yet to feature. However, it is usually not cheap. Attracting the world's best athletes often cost thousands of dollars - more so if they are to clash with one of their fierce rivals.
Sponsors normally provide the finances to cover the expense of such international games and therefore one would expect the organizers to target some of the manufacturers of sports equipment and other products in the USA and elsewhere. Being under a structural adjustment, only an extravagant government will dip into the dwindling resources of the state to meet the cost of what is expected to be a huge bill.
Chis Brown and Michael Bascombe are well connected in the world of sports and should be able to use their influence to mobilize the resources. We wish them well!
Taking away absolutely nothing from Government and the organizers of this mammoth event, a point that has to be made is that we need to see the same level of astonishing high energy being put into the hosting of this event by the Government also replicated in domestic programs to unearth future stars. Sports tourism in Grenada will only blossom if we produce world class sports people in cricket, football, basketball, track and field and others. The reality is, that will only happen if Grenada invests heavily in dynamic domestic programs to nurture its best talent, beginning from preprimary.
Reflecting on our history, Government built a magnificent stadium to host matches in the 2007 Cricket World Cup but is yet to make any significant investment into a domestic cricket program for future stars. Yes, there are the ministry's annual competitions; but they are all routine events which ought to be complimented by a community component where coaches and others work with our best athletes to develop both their athletic and academic abilities to their fullest potential.
Also, six years after Kirani James won gold at the World Athletic Championships and the Olympic games, there has been absolutely no serious investment to unearth the next generation of quarter milers and others.
The Chris Brown International Games will surely bring immediate gratification to the Prime Minister and his Government. No one can seriously criticize them for bringing world stars to our country; but it shows how delinquent and shallow we are when it comes to our nation finding money and investing the resources in domestic development programs!
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