University of the West Indies (UWI) principal Sir Hilary Beckles says the Ryan Brathwaite track to be constructed at Paradise Park, St Michael can be used by Barbadians as part of their fitness regime. On Friday, at the university’s annual health day, the Cave Hill Campus chief made it clear the track was not only to be used for major events, but was there for all Barbadians to use for recreation.Unfortunately, construction of the track located at the old Lazaretto complex in Black Rock, has been delayed, awaiting the removal of huge cables which are attached to antennas.A source at UWI told the SUNDAY sun that the university was prepared to remove the cables, but was awaiting permission from Town and Country Planning.The eight-lane track named after the world champion hurdler, is to be constructed around the perimeter of the astroturf football field.Minister of Health Donville Inniss said he would like to see the obstacles removed.“UWI has spent considerable sums of taxpayers dollars and other dollars in providing the facility and it needs to be put to good use.“What bothers me immensely is the slow pace at which things are done in the public sector, even statutory corporations that are established to operate similar to private sector; entities, work extremely slow,” he said.Sir Hilary, a noted historian, said hypertension and diabetes affecting many Caribbean people were the consequences of hundreds of years of slavery.“It is no surprise that so many of us suffer from hypertension and diabetes. It is a result of our history. All of us have families that are ravaged by chronic diseases and it is major in the Caribbean.”
HistoryHe urged Caribbean people to start early to avoid those ills because they were surrounded by the legacies of history.Sir Hilary said that institutions of higher learning could be very stressful and that was why the university had put many programmes and initiatives in place to ensure that staff and students were physically fit and comfortable.He added that the planting of fruit trees and bay leaf trees around the university was part of an “integrated approach” to what they were doing.
