Linden sports enthusiasts urged to foster sports development

Sports promoters and enthusiasts of Linden were given a word of encouragement to further push towards the

development of sports by legendary cricket commentator Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira, during a consultation in the town on Monday evening. The session was organized by Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland, who has played a major role in sports, by serving as a sports promoter, journalist and commentator. Holland noted that the move forms part of the Linden Mayor and Town Council’s (LM&TC) mandate to aggressively move towards the successful molding of sports tourism in the community. While Perreira, during his address stressed that the interest in sports is currently competing with that of advancements in social media, he urged promoters and athletes to get involved and improve the standard of sports in Linden, noting that it will assist in keeping unemployed youths off the streets. He further urged them to build strong relationships amongst themselves and the private sector in an effort to secure and maintain sponsorship. Speaking more specifically to football, Perreira said currently there is a need to improve the surface of football fields across the country if the standard of the sport is to be improved. Emphasizing the need to promote strong club structures, Perreira added that, strong clubs make strong associations which leads to an improved sporting structure.

“While you wait for infrastructure in the town, you have got to ensure that your own structures in sports are stronger. You can’t have teams and not clubs…a strong club will make a strong sub- association…weak clubs or no clubs will make you weak…You have got to improve your record taking…don’t assume you can’t get better, call on your federation that you are affiliated with…Use the resources available to you in Linden,” he stressed.

The Lindeners were further urged to have pride in their community.

Holland, in his remarks, reminisced on the days when Linden was ahead of its game in the promotion of sports as he stressed that presently, the community can benefit significantly from an indoor/ outdoor sports facility. He noted that his municipality is focusing on the promotion and marketing of sports, adding that Linden has produced great sportsmen and women. Holland said the focus is on successful marketing efforts, to re-energize the community in order to reap the benefits of sports, as he related his own experiences in the arena.

“We need to get together as a sports fraternity and really push aggressively for sports development in Linden…we cannot continue with the old set up and expect to promote sports”, he noted. The Mayor stated his belief in moving sports forward as he indicated that numerous undeveloped lands in the community can be seen as a future blessing. It was on this note that he related to the gathering his engagement with Government for an upkeep of present grounds. In moving forward, he said the community needs sports ambassadors as he encouraged promoters to “think outside the box”.

Chairman of the LM&TC Social Development Committee Keeran Williams said the focus is on institutional strengthening, training and development of sports facilities. He stressed the challenges faced by Lindeners, adding that the aim is to provide an enabling environment.