Ludlow Watts ... SDF's general manager. - File

The Sports Development Foundation (SDF), in its mission to develop the nation through sports, handed over two sporting facilities to Barbary Hall and Crawford in St Elizabeth on Thursday.

The facilities which will serve football in Crawford and netball and basketball in Barbary Hall, both South West St Elizabeth communities, were handed over by Ludlow Watts, general manager of SDF.

At Crawford, the SDF provided fencing and erected bathroom facilities.

Watts told the small gathering, which turned out for the hand-over ceremony at Crawford that this is the seventh recent project they have assisted with in St Elizabeth.

He called on the community to protect and maintain the facilities.

"Its important that maintenance takes place," he said while pointing out that watering of the field and a rest period are essential areas of maintenance."It's good to have a committee in place for this project, because if you don't, everybody will have easy access and some will not take care of it," he said.

Member of Parliament Dr Christopher Tufton said this was another proud community moment for him.

He said he is committed to sports as it has its role to play in nation building.

Dr Tufton also used the occasion to point out that, as Member of Parliament, his commitment has led to over $2m in sports programmes in the last year.

He also spoke of plans to develop the facility based on demand.

"Bring yourself together to work and to preserve and strengthen what you have here. It's yours ... It is for you who reside here and you must treat it as you would your own home," he said.

Over in Barbary Hall, a multi-purpose court was at built at a cost of $2.3m.

And again, Watts begged the community and the over 10 teams lined up to start a netball rally to protect it.

He told them that netball and basketball are the only sports which should be played on the surface as football boots or spikes will damage it.