Large Barbados sporting contingents to major meets such as the Commonwealth Games, may be a thing of the past.
Speaking yesterday afternoon minutes after the various national squads returned home from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, acting director of the National Sports Council (NSC) Neil Murrell, told the MIDWEEK?NATION that the time had come for Barbados to be more selective in choosing teams for major international competitions.
“It is something I?believe the Barbados Olympic Association and the National Sports Council (NSC) will have to collaborate to look at that. The majority of the contingent that went to Glasgow were in team events such as badminton, netball, table tennis and rugby sevens, and they were up against countries who were alot more advanced, so the competition was fierce.
“Therefore, in terms of our planning and where we want to go, and bearing in mind the financial situation, Barbados will have to look at selectively choosing the teams that we feel will give us chances at medals,” he said.
About a million dollars was spent on taking the team to Glasgow and all the squad of 61 competitors in 12 disciplines had to show was a bronze medal secured by 24-year-old Shane Brathwaite in the men’s 110 hurdles. Brathwaite will be racing in Europe this month and is due back home in September.
The NSC executive is echoing the sentiments of BOA operations manager Glyne Clarke, who in an interview last week with the DAILY?NATION said that selection for national teams might get more stringent.
Murrell acknowledged that as a tiny, Third World nation, there was a limitation on the funds that could continued to be invested in sport.
“Money goes into so many other sectors such as tourism, health and education, so money will always be a bugbear.
“I feel though that a quality athlete will always shine through, like an athlete that is motivated like an Akela Jones. We can rightly argue that money would have been a bugbear for her as well but she came through. Examples like Akela are required to help motivate athletes to give of their best.
“The talent is there. The Caribbean is blessed with several naturally gifted athletes but it has to be said that funds to invest in programmes and coaching expertise are required to bridge the gap,” he said.
Murrell said the performance in Scotland was, in his opinion, moderate.
“We could have done better. I know Barbadians wanted more medals, we just have to work harder and know what our goals are.
“There were some encouraging performances with the efforts of young judoka Onoh-Obasi Okey, who was close to winning a bronze medal. Cobia Breedy also did well in the boxing ring and made it to the quarters.
“It was also heartening to have three Barbadians in the final of men’s 110 hurdles, which was unprecedented.”
Judo coach Ian Weithers said he was encouraged by the performance of his three judokas, making special mention of Okey, who was very close to getting bronze in the Under-48 kilogram class.
“On our previous visit to the Commonwealth Games, in 2002, we took two athletes and placed seventh. This time we had someone who placed fifth, the highest placing for us ever and went to the medal round.
“My prediction from here is that next time we stand in judo at the Commonwealth Games, one of our athletes is going to hold a medal in their hand,” he added.
