ST.GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC-The Grenada government has approved an EC 500.000 package for five of the country’s leading athletes who excelled recently.
Sports Minister Emmalin Pierre announced yesterday that the money will be used to support West Indies cricketers, Afi Fletcher, Andre Fletcher, Ryan John and Emmanuel Stewart as well as field athlete Anderson Peters.
Peters won the Austin Sealy Award for the best performer at the recent 45th Carifta games in St.George’s after setting a new distance for the Javelin.
John and Stuart are members of the West Indies under 19 team which won the World Cup earlier this year.
“Government yesterday at cabinet deliberations would have taken a decision to give some support to some of our outstanding sports men and sports women of recent times,” Pierre announced during the Tuesday morning post cabinet news briefing.
“I want to announce this morning that the government has put aside a package of EC 500,000 dollars in the first instance to facilitate support for five individuals”.
Afi shared history when the West Indies captured the ICC Women’s World Cup for the first time while Andre was a part of the Windies team which regained the T20 World Cup in India.
Afi will receive housing assistance and will be enrolled in the elite sports programme of the Ministry of Sports where she will be involved in cricket development and would be allowed to structure her training and development.
“We want to recognize all of those who have done so well in the area of cricket and of course Afi is the lone female in this particular category of recognition. We are so very proud of her achievement,” the sports minister said.
“”Through the programme there would be compulsory emphasis on her development in the sports. So it’s not just about her providing a service but it is also about her training and development. We understand that she has made the team we also want her to stay on the team as long as she can”.
Andre’s services will be used in the elite sports program which is being expanded.
Government will provide housing assistance to the families of John and Stewart and fund their travel cost to, and education in Barbados.
Housing assistance will also be provided for Peters as well as the cost of his home- based university studies.
Meantime the Grenada government says it will soon reach a decision on a standard incentive package to reward athletes who excel in regional and international events.
“What we are seeking to do within a week or so is formalize that incentive package whereby it will be standardized, the support that will be provided to various persons who perform exceptionally well, based on the level that they would have performed at.”
