By Neto Baptiste
Government, through the Ministry of Sports and its Athletes Development Assistance Review Panel (ADARP), distributed a total of $867,612.00 to over 15 associations and other sporting bodies during the 2023 calendar year.
This was revealed by Minister of Sports Daryll Matthew during his presentation in Parliament on the 2024 budget, who said that a large portion of the funds went to cricket and in particular, a UK tour by a team consisting of promising under-19 players to the tune of $363,245.72.
“That cricket team that went to the UK, that under-19 team, provided an eye-opening experience for our young cricketers. I know there are some associations who believe that cricket receives and unjust amount of resources but it is still the only sport where we produce international athletes that generates a great livelihood because Alzarri Joseph had a fantastic few hours [on Tuesday] where he was purchased, I think, for 1.4 million [US] in the IPL,” he said.
Matthew, who said ADARP was initially budgeted $500,000for 2023, presented the list of associations and sporting bodies that would have benefited from the initiative this year.
“The Antigua and Barbuda Little League Baseball $10,000; the Antigua Masters Cricket Club $6,500; the Antigua and Barbuda Amateur Bodybuilding & Weightlifting Federation $22,166.10; the Antigua and Barbuda Athletics Association $96,210; the Uprising Boxing Gym $10,520; the Antigua and Barbuda Basketball Association $73,000; the Antigua and Barbuda Swimming Association $113,268.49; the Antigua and Barbuda Triathlon Association $21,091; the Antigua and Barbuda Domino Association $30,000; the Antigua and Barbuda Golf Association $9500; the Antigua and Barbuda Junior Golfers $26,951.52; the Antigua and Barbuda Cycling Federation $15,000; netball association $15,000; the Antigua and Barbuda Volleyball Association $10,000; our schools volleyball team that travelled to St Maarten $31,831; the bridge association $5,000; the Antigua and Barbuda cricket exchange programme $4,320,” the minister said.
ADARP has been budgeted $750,000 for 2024.
