2005: Year of 'Sports and Physical Education'-Host of activities at Roche Caïman on April 10 |10 February 2005

On Sunday April 10, the Roche Caïman sports complex will host a number of sporting, cultural, leisure and recreational activities under the same theme.

In her address during the recent Sports Awards of the Year 2004 crowning ceremony, Mrs Sylvette Pool, Minister for Local Government, Sports and Culture, explained that since the UN declared 2005 as the year of 'Sports and Physical Education' the departments of Sports and Local Government and the National Sports Council (NSC) have been working on improving their services and programmes to help increase the number of activities and the level of participation of people of different age groups in sporting events at community level.

Members of a new committee, set up by Minister Pool late last year to organise the event, met at the National Arts Council (Nac) boardroom Wednesday February 9 morning to discuss the planning of the different activities that feature on the proposed programme.

The immediate task of the committee is to draw up a final programme of activities. According to Patrick Nanty, principal secretary for Sports and Culture, the committee needs to come up with a draft document of the proposed activities and their location soon.

"We need to know exactly what we are going to do and come up with a draft document which will be submitted to Minister Pool for approval. We also need to know the cost so that concrete actions could be taken," said PS Nanty.

He also talked about the benefits of sports in our lives, describing them as "instruments against any form of violence and having the power to bring about peace and harmony among nations".

Mr Nanty reiterated the sports ministry's efforts to continue to develop sports at district and community levels.

"Our ministry is working in partnership with other ministries, governmental and non-governmental organisations, the NSC, the private sector and businesses to better implement the programme. So far, the committee is doing a good job but time is not in our favour and we need to work faster. The activities will continue for the whole of the year at both district and regional levels," said Mr Nanty, who added that everything will be ready for the 'grand manifestation'.

"I am certain that all partners will take their responsibilities seriously and I am hopeful that everything will be ready for the grand manifestation on April 10," he said.

The proposed activities on the programme include a family fun day, traditional games, performances by live bands, neighbourhood recreational activities, a fancy fair and exhibitions.

Banners and billboards will soon be erected around the Roche Caïman sports complex, adverts will be published in local newspapers, on television and on the radio to ensure a good turn-out.

C. J.