Dear Editor,
I refer to an interview with Mr. Odinga Lumumba by Iva Wharton which was published on page 26 of the Stabroek News of February 29, 2012 under the caption `Poor Maintenance of Community Grounds hindering Sports Development’. I feel that what he said during that interview could not have been better said.
I agree that maintenance of these grounds is very costly and as such it must be a collective effort, but the Neighbourhood Democratic Council, and the Regional Democratic Council must lead from the front because the facilities belong to those bodies, and the Youth Groups, and the Sports Clubs and all other persons must also make meaningful contributions. What is needed also is a competent Committee of Management to oversee the day-to-day activities of these grounds.
What has long been evident is that many of these NDCs which own these grounds do not have the money, for maintenance of them because their revenue base is weak, while others may have the financial resources. The councillors that sit there, many of them do not have an interest in sport and would not advocate or support any decision that has to do with its development, and this attitude I believe is more commonplace or entrenched in the NDC councillors in rural areas.
My observations are not only confined to Region Two, but I am well placed to elaborate on this subject regarding this region.
I have seen or I should say we have seen almost all the grounds owned by the NDC and RDC being reduced to what can only be described as cow pastures. Any given day of the week, any time of the day dozens of animals can be found there. While it may not be fair to say that the NDC is encouraging that situation, they are mainly responsible for those grounds being in the unusable condition that they are in. There is no evidence to suggest that they are trying to stop it, by at least impounding those animals.
It is widely believed that sport generally is severely neglected in Region Two by those persons or group of persons who can make vital decisions or financial contributions for its promotion, and development.
Apart from cricket and to a far lesser extent football all other sports disciplines are actually non-existent. It may be difficult for most people to believe that the entire Region Two does not have a basketball court, a volleyball or lawn tennis court or a boxing gym. Squash, badminton and hockey are alien to many of our youths in this region. Somebody from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports must say why this region is treated this way. It has become the norm that at the end of each and every year various sports association, federations, and individuals receive prizes, medals and trophies for outstanding contributions towards various sport disciplines. The question is what have they done for the promotion of sports, apart from in the city, Region Two and other regions?
Yours faithfully,
Archie W. Cordis
