Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 1, 2010 (SKNIS): Government’s investment in the sporting infrastructure and athletes in St. Kitts and Nevis has been worthwhile and continues to bring benefits.
Minister of Youth Empowerment and Sports, Honourable Glenn Phillip debated during the Budget session of the National Assembly that the Federation has a number of high quality sporting facilities which will be further utilized to advance the development of local athletes.
“In 2010 our Federation will be hosting the ICC 20/20 Female Cricket Competition in May, and will serve as host venue for several cricket teams from England, who are quite impressed with our facilities. Then we will be hosting one of the test matches of the South Africa versus West Indies Series in June,” he stated. “Additionally, another major event will be taking place at the Silver Jubilee Stadium, where we host the Caribbean Union of Teachers, (C.U.T.) Track and Field Championship in July when some 20 countries are scheduled to participate.”
“These events certainly provide adequate testimony to justify the investment made by Government in our sport facilities, which not only help to motivate our national athletes to achieve excellence, but serve to enhance our Sport Tourism Development, and the economic impact which results to the benefit of our people,” Minister Phillip stressed.
Two of the aforementioned English teams arrived on British Airways (BA) last Saturday. A third group came on the inaugural weekly BA Tuesday service, this week. The groups which comprises of junior and senior teams are members of the United Kingdom-based Dunnington Sports Club. The visit was organized by former national player Harwood Williams – who resides in the U.K. and is affiliated with the club.
While appearing on this week’s edition of SKNIS Perspectives, Williams noted that a group of expatriates first toured St. Kitts and Nevis in 2005. In 2006, he brought teams from Dunnington and since then groups have visited annually with the exception of one year.
“When they (English teams) first came here, the infrastructure that was in their head as opposed to what they came and saw, was two totally different things, so that allowed them to then go back and convince the others, so that is what’s working well,” Williams said.
The firsthand accounts of the hospitality, quality sporting facilities and various tourism offerings have helped the tour to expand from a little more than twenty persons to 115 persons expected on this visit to play netball, football and cricket.
Williams added that the benefits to the economy are undeniable. He explained that £35,000.00 was spent with local agents in preparation for the tour. Further spending will take place over the coming weeks up to the April 17th conclusion of the tour.
The former national athlete confessed that he was impressed with the addition of the BA weekly service and the overall progression of the twin island Federation.
“For me who grew up here [and considering] where it is now, words can’t quite explain how far we have gone.”
Williams was confident that the visit of the Dunnington Sports Club would continue into the foreseeable future.
