Premier: Gov’t committed to sports

Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin.

Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin said his government of national unity is committed to sports and helping elite athletes advance their careers.

McLaughlin, himself a former sports minister, was delivering his administration’s Strategic Policy Statement in the Legislative Assembly on 23 August 2017.

He said while the government will place strong emphasis on education, “we are equally committed to enhancing their life chances more broadly through community activity and through sport.”

The Premier said community facilities will be encouraged and “we will ensure that these are well maintained to enable participation”.

Under the previous Progressives-led administration, then Sports Minister Osbourne Bodden advanced the development and upgrading of facilities in various districts, with work done to install new walking/running tracks at various locations and upgrades to sporting facilities. The sports complex in Cayman Brac was also developed with further expansion work planned to include a new swimming facility.

Over the years, government has consistently supported a handful of national competitors through its Elite Athlete Programme and other similar incarnations. Though details were few, Mr McLaughlin indicated this would continue.

“Where we have athletes with potential to attain elite status we will support them to fulfil their potential,” he said in his speech to the Legislative Assembly.

In the coming days, CaymanSportsBuzz.com will take a closer look at government’s plans for sports.

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