St. George’s, Grenada, March 4, 2011: Sports Minister, Patrick Simmons, wants the National Lottery Authority (NLA) to be more project-driven, saying the organization needs to make itself more visible within the Grenadian community.

Hon. Simmons has the responsibility for overseeing the NLA, which provides funding for sports and cultural activities nationwide.

Minister Simmons, who is also Minister of Youth Empowerment, suggested that among projects the NLA should consider as possible flagships are the lighting of the cricket stadium and the construction of a synthetic track at Progress Park.

The Minister, speaking at a recent meeting with members of the board of directors of the NLA, said that with the establishment of parish sports councils, the Lottery Authority will also have a more critical role to play in community project development.

While complimenting the NLA on its successes over the past two years, including the “hallmark” reopening of the reconstructed headquarters of the Authority on the Carenage, Minister Simmons urged greater collaboration with the Ministry of Sports, especially in giving policy direction to the National Lottery Authority.

Lingham Samuel, Chairman of the NLA’s board of directors, described the meeting as frank. “It was able to clear up some misconceptions and would be beneficial to the running of the Authority’, Samuel said.