BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - MINISTER of Sports Jonel Powell said the recently laying of the National Sports Policy in Parliament speaks volumes to the plans he has for the enhancement of sports in St. Kitts and Nevis.
The Policy speaks to, among other things, creating a pathway for youth development, enhancing sports and promoting healthy lifestyles.
Powell told SKNVibes News that the development and presentation of the Policy is something that he has been working to have completed when he was an ambassador during the Government’s previous term in office.
“I ensured that it was tabled before Parliament as soon as possible. It should have been done before! I thought it necessary to include aspects in relation to protocols surrounding the COVID-19,” Minister Powell explained.
The Ministry of Sports has made submissions to Cabinet for revenues in 2021 for the implementation of the Policy.
During his presentation of the Policy in Parliament, the Minister noted that the initiative would benefit the young, the old and those in the differently-abled community.
In addition, he told the Parliament that the Police embraces the medium of sport to address youth-centered issues within schools and the community at large.
When asked what aspect of the Policy is the priority area, Minister Powell said: “The Priority area will be the setting up of the National Sports Council. We think that is very important to have that body in place to help guide how we roll out the entire policy through the Federation.”
Following many years of talk over the development of a National Sports Policy, the Government moved in 2017 to begin work in crafting the document.
During that time, local and regional stakeholders were consulted on the way forward for the National Policy, which was completed earlier this year.
