SPORTS LIFE B’DOS SEPT ’22 – JUNE ’23

The Sports for Life Barbados (SFL) programme is on its way for 2022-2023.

During the last two years, the COVID-19 pandemic halted many sports programmes and the SFL was one of them.

Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, addressing the launch of the 2022-2023 programme at Kensington Oval, Fontabelle, St. Michael, recently, welcomed its return, saying he was impressed with the development of the 15-year programme which seeks to improve the lives of young children through sports.

Minister Griffith also noted that programmes like SFL should catch the attention of the media and become known.

“With all the negativity that is swirling, I think as they would say ‘Big up our young people’,.…very little, if anything at all, is mentioned about this particular programme. And, we are pleased that we could offer another venue, another location so that more young people could possibly get involved with the process,” he stated.

Emphasising that the SFL programme should be further expanded as there were facilities, community centres and pavilions available, Mr. Griffith told participants: “This is an opportunity for you to grow, not only as it relates to the discipline that you belong to, but as it relates to the holistic development of all of you, the social skills, the life skills that are required.

“I want for you to really embrace what is happening as far as this is concerned and become leaders in the disciplines [in which] you are involved. Use the knowledge to make not only your life better, but those of your team mates. You are expected to use the knowledge that you gain from this programme to impact your peers at school or the different programmes outside the SLF.”

While also addressing the parents who support their children, especially the fathers who were present during the ceremony, the Sports Minister commended them for “being there and being present in the lives of their children”.

“You must continue to show the interest, be involved and encourage them. It is something that is holistic and is positive, and that is what me and my team at the Ministry are pushing, for the holistic development for all persons in sport,” urged Minister Griffith. 

The SFL programme will run from September 2022 until June 2023.(PR/GIS)