National Sports Council Launches Consultations on New Sports Policy

The National Sports Council (NSC) held its first of eight public consultations for the development of a new National Sports Policy and Strategic Plan. The first consultation was held yesterday evening at the Punta Gorda Sporting Complex under the theme, “Have Your Say, Shape the Future.” Athletes, coaches, sporting organizations and members of the community were invited to share their views, concerns and ideas on what is needed to move sports forward. Love News spoke with National Sports Council Administrative Officer Michael “Chips” Noralez on the outcome of the discussion. 

Michael Norales, Administrative Officer, NSC: “The suggestions were recorded by Deputy Director for Marketing and Public Relations, Mr. Michael Jenkins from the National Sports Council. And the chief consultant, Mr.K Kirwin Jean, he’s from St. Lucia, but works out of Trinidad and Tobago along with his counterpart, Ms. Shirland Cabrales, they stressed the importance of the involvement of the community. They are saying that don’t look to government for everything. We must could dd something together here in Punta Gorda. And a few of the guys who shared their opinions also mentioned that if each sport would come together and support each other then government will do its part. But the thing is we need to make sure that we know where we want to go. So we should follow these kids during training, during games, not only when they are going to travel then, you know, people come and look for cash which is kind of scarce right now. But I’m sure that the government of Belize through the National Sports Council and all the federations should play a part in the role here. Two persons in particular, I’m not afraid to mention, Mr. John Nune who has been a longtime sports enthusiast and teacher and karate master, and Mr. Ray Palma who suggested that we should play a role, which is the National Sports Council, in getting people trained to be physical education teachers, to be coaches, to be officials, right? So things like that I know were documented and we should get feedback in a few.”

The discussions are expected to help the Sports Council get a better understanding of the needs of athletes and sporting communities across the country. The consultation tour continues in San Ignacio this morning and Dangriga earlier this evening.