Above: Kirani James

By the Caribbean Journal staff

How can the Caribbean develop more athletes like Kirani James?

Once-in-a-generation talents like the Grenadian star don’t come around often, but that doesn’t mean the region can’t develop more high-grade athletic stars to compete on the world stage.

And according to Grenada Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, it’s a question of improving sports infrastructure.

Mitchell is urging the creation of sporting academies in the Eastern Caribbean to address this issue.

Speaking at the OECS Authority this week, Mitchell said that, with “proper sporting infrastructure at their disposal,” many more in the region would be able to dominate the global sporting scene like James.

A lack of academies and other training facilities has led to the loss of many who could have been stars like Kirani, Mitchell said.

“We have to cultivate the talent we have in the region. We have not done enough. We need sub-regional sports academies that will help train and discipline our young people,” he said. “They should be able to market their fame right here in the region, not always abroad as it is right now.”