Developing sports’ foundation - SDF focussing on improving infrastructure in COVID-affected sporting landscape

General Manager of the Sports Development Foundation (SDF), Denzil Wilks, said the suspension of sporting activities worldwide because of the coronavirus pandemic gave the organisation a rare opportunity to focus on the development of the local sporting infrastructure.

Wilks, who pointed out that the SDF’s two main priorities are providing financial support for national sporting associations and building out the infrastructure, admitted that the overwhelming schedule and commitments of local sporting teams usually force the organisation to put more resources and time into assisting sporting bodies.

However, with almost no sporting activities taking place for three-quarters of the year, due to COVID-19, the SDF had the opportunity to pay more attention to infrastructural projects.

“The Sports Development Foundation has been somewhat fortunate in the pandemic, in the sense that, one of the things we do, which is build infrastructure, we were able to do a lot of that,” said Wilks.

“A few months after the pandemic hit Jamaica, everybody had to be absolutely cautious because of the uncertainty. But in a little while, we were able to recognise that the building of infrastructure did not breach any protocol. So we were able to resume, and, for the rest of the year, continue with various infrastructure programmes that we were trying to implement,” he added.

The SDF completed over 10 projects during the period, including work on the Holy Family Multi-Purpose Court, and a similar facility at Aabuthnott Gallimore High School.

Two courts were established in St Ann, while the communities of Portland Cottage and Longville Park as well as St Patrick’s Primary School, also received courts.

DEVELOPING MORE FACILITIES

Nevertheless, Wilks says the organisation intends to continue to develop as many facilities as they can before sporting activities resume on a wider scale.

“Yes, we did focus on infrastructure. So we were able to get through quite a lot in terms of the infrastructure despite the pandemic. We will see how much more can be done before full sports activities return,” Wilks stated.

Meanwhile, the veteran administrator revealed they have maintained their monthly subventions to the respective sporting bodies, mainly because they were not forced to adopt any financial restraint.

“We (SDF) didn’t experience any significant budget cuts and we were able to provide the subvention that we usually provide, as there was no travelling or actual competitions.

“So they (sporting associations) didn’t suffer what could have been the consequence of a massive budget cut, as the Government didn’t order budget restraint. So they have been able to maintain themselves,” he noted.

Wilks added that the SDF is not anticipating any excessive requests from the sporting bodies, and that they will assist in the recovery process.

“I hope we can do what is required to get sporting activities going again, while staying within the protocols. As more and more people return to the sport venues, we know there will be calls to assist, and we will offer support wherever we can,” Wilks said.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com