Memorandum from ministry of education which instructed secondary schools to participate in BSSAC
BU continues to critical about the lack of leadership in almost every sphere of activity in Barbados. Have a look at the Barbados Today story Thumbs Up! Never thought the day would arrive when local media would have to run PR stories regarding how safe it is to be in Barbados. One of our enduring characteristics has been a low crime environment. It had been the main ingredient which underpinned the boast of being a stable country.
A few days ago BU highlighted the sorry state of local sports with real possibility the National Primary Schools Athletics Championships (NAPSAC) and the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Athletic Championships (BSSAC) are in danger of being cancelled – NAPSAC and BSSAC in Danger of Being Cancelled. The reason: the National Stadium track is under construction and has been unavoidably delayed. Incredible though it seems there was no contingency planned for this eventuality.
The result of the poor planning means that our two premier track and field championships which affords the opportunity of our young athletes to showcase their talent remains uncertain on the meet calendar. The Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Council should offer a public apology to ALL athletes who have to train everyday day with the mental anguish created by the doubt that BSSAC and NAPSAC will not come off. To repeat, the thought of a similar mishap occurring in Jamaica or Bahamas is unfathomable.
National Stadium track being relaid – Photo credit: Nation
Does anyone believe that the organizers of Sports in Jamaica would allow what is happening in Barbados to occur over there? We have a situation where the National Sports Council and the Barbados government made the correct decision to relay the track at the National Stadium. Unfortunately because of factors beyond the control of the actors in the project (we are told) the exercise has taken longer than originally planned. As a result the two premier sporting events which target the youth and facilitate qualification for CARIFTA are at serious risk of being cancelled.
The National Primary Schools Athletics Championships (NAPSAC) normally scheduled at the end of February has been postponed as well as the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Athletic Championships (BSSAC). With so many vacant pastures in Barbados one is left to wonder why a committee comprised of of our brightest could not conceptualized and implemented a contingency plan. Obviously if the young ones do not perform on a track which is accredited they forego having their times officially registered but which is the lesser of the two evils, performing on a non-accredited track or not performing at all?
