On behalf of the Government and people of Grenada, the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Sports, would like to congratulate the Grenada Olympic Team which participated in the Games of the XXX Olympiad in London, the United Kingdom.
Despite the lone gold medal secured by Kirani James it was a team effort which escalated Grenada into Olympic recognition.
It is also important that the Ministry recognises the efforts of all those who made it possible for Team Grenada to participate in the Games, led by the stewardship of the Grenada Olympic Committee (GOC).
The Ministry would also like to recognise the contributions of the local sponsors who ensured that the team attend pre-Olympic Games training camps, as well as the families of the athletes and officials.
The athletes themselves have excelled but the achievement of Kirani James has to be singled out for winning Grenada’s first ever medal at an Olympic Games, as well as the first non-American to run under 44 seconds flat in the 400 metres.
In an effort to ensure that we continue on the path set by this team of Grenadian Olympians the Ministry of YES will continue to strengthen existing programmes, and launch new initiatives to ensure that our sportsmen and women are exposed to the highest level of competition.
The Ministry has begun initial discussions with the St George’s University to develop a home grown sports programme which will ensure that our sportsmen and women are provided with the opportunity to remain home and continue their professional development academically and in their particular sporting discipline.
The Ministry is collaborating with the GOC and the Grenada Athletics Association (GAA) to meet with all overseas-based Grenadian track and field athletes in October. This is a start and there are plans to do likewise with other sporting disciplines.
Special attention will be given to our talent identification programme which has been foundation for many of our Olympians.
The Ministry will be making a greater effort for the start of reconstructing of the National Stadium and the construction of an aquatic centre.
The challenge now is for the greater sourcing of funds to ensure that many of these programmes are fulfilled and that we provide an opportunity for all talented Grenadian to fulfil their sporting dream.
Grenada will host the Second OECS Sports Ministers Meeting in October and colleague Ministers are expected to discuss the establishment of the Headquarters for an OECS Sports Desk as well as a mechanism for procuring sports equipment and gear, a model similar to that of the procurement of pharmaceuticals within the sub-region.
Video of Sports Minister Patrick Simmons speaking at a ceremony to honour the Grenada Olympic Team at Grenada Olympic House in London on Friday August 10, 2012