by Donella Hosten
Minister of Youth, Sports and Religious Affairs, Hon. Roland Bhola recently provided updates on a number of sporting activities to commence within the next few weeks.
Firstly, the Inter-Secondary Schools Netball Championship is fast approaching and is scheduled to commence on 13 October 2016. This year’s competition will see 19 secondary schools participating in 2 divisions – the Under 15 and the Senior Divisions. The main sponsor for this Championship is Dean’s Sports Shop, and Minister Bhola expressed his gratitude to them for their partnership with the Ministry throughout the years.
Minister Bhola commended the National Netball Association on a job well done in a regional competition they recently participated in, which resulted in them qualifying to participate in World Championship in 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
According to the Minister, Government is committed to assisting the team, however, due to the far distance the public is encouraged to assist financially as well especially when they go to look at the games.
The Minister also briefly mentioned the RightStar Football Tournament, which is sponsored by Republic Bank, and is scheduled to begin 6 November. 23 Secondary Schools including Hillsborough Secondary School and Bishop’s College, will be participating in this Tournament.
The Subway–sponsored Secondary School Basketball Competition is due to commence in the latter part of November. Minister Bhola said they have not yet received confirmation on the number of schools participating this year, however, from the turnout last year, they are expecting the same amount or more. For this competition, the Ministry of Sports will continue to provide Coaches and technical support as needed.
Refurbishment on the Alston George Park in Victoria and the Cuthbert Peters Park, St John has been completed. An elated Minister of Sport revealed that only last week the necessary persons from the Ministry of Works visited the sites to ensure that everything was up to standard, and the Ministry will soon announce a date for the official opening of the two Parks.
The Minister took the opportunity to convey congratulations to the two Bodybuilders who represented Grenada at the 44th Central American and Caribbean Championships. The duo Damion Daniel and Hafid Tyrone James placed first and second in their respective categories.
