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Author Topic: SEEKING PEACE, HARMONY FOR SPORTS by Andre E. Baptiste  (Read 929 times)

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SEEKING PEACE, HARMONY FOR SPORTS by Andre E. Baptiste
« on: August 18, 2011, 07:51:08 PM »
----- SEEKING PEACE, HARMONY FOR SPORTS -------

By Andre E Baptiste

 

( Trinidad guardian , Wednesday 17th August, 2011)

So we all want funding….yes every single sporting association in Trinidad and Tobago is in need of finance and without such their respective sports will suffer. Therefore with corporate Trinidad and Tobago suffering just like most of the leading corporations in the World, there is no alternative but to seek government assistance through the sporting institutions established for such.

However , while historically this was the normal medium and regular supplier of funding , changing times , changing management styles and changing personalities have all led to vast changes which have meant that the various national sporting organizations (NSO) have had to resort to some ground breaking techniques to find a way to survive without government funding. Unfortunately most of these techniques have failed to provide the necessary assistance and many have had to just “give up”.

It is simply the fault of those in authority who have ensured that there was in place a dependency syndrome. So now that it is not so easy to access this funding as it was in the past, many are struggling to come to terms with this added responsibility because of their lack of skills set.

There are  perhaps several good reasons for this change by those in authority  , among which is the fact that compared to ten years or fifteen years ago, there has been an increase in funding costs , through , price increases generally in the world for everything and also the fact that Trinidad and Tobago , now has more sporting organizations than previously.

Additionally , there is the fact , that given the need to be cautious with the limited allocation of funds , not only companies but now government authorities are being very  demanding on certain criteria being established before funding is affordable and honestly all of this is  both practical and commendable and even further is essential when you are spending taxpayers money. It is time for sporting organizations to realize that they cannot just be expecting easy handouts when they turn up days before an international event for funding. Proper budgeting and planning is essential together with honest communication.

With change , comes a lot of confusion and when both the NSO’s and the government authorities are reading from different pages , there will always be conflict , both parties need to meet and decide on a proper way forward and this is where – trust – is important.

Trust though must work both ways and in that regard, while we can all question the expertise and skill levels of those at the government level in charge of sports. We must be honest and ask what are the requisite skills of most of those involved in the national sporting organizations, other than an interest and care in the respective sports. Twenty years ago, that sort of well-intentioned individual was what was required and expected and in those days , there was a lot more trust in the relationships between sports and governments , but all of that has changed in a society where accountability and transparency have become correctly more relevant than friendship and faith.

It is not only that we are no longer a less trusting people. But also because of the numerous incidents of deceits and dishonestly in many international sports, we would be neophytes to think that this cannot touch Trinidad and Tobago. So we need to have more professionals involved in sporting organizations, we need men and women who understand economics and business management and if this can be combined with sporting knowledge, then the entire better. In fact some of the best organizations that run sports in this country have all of these ingredients in abundance and therefore it should not surprise us that it is easier for them to gain funding.

-Working for free- is a constant excuse of many of the most struggling sporting organizations in this country, and the main reason most persons no longer buy that statement is that in most of the sports that utter these words, it is regularly discovered   that their officers travel the most with their respective teams without any rationale for such expenditure other than length of service.

As to the government sporting institutions, the one area that needs to be identified under this new dispensation is what are the role of the Ministry of Sports and the function of the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago. As it stands currently, there is far too much uncertainty about the purpose of both. Initially when they were established, the concept to most of us (despite what was said by those in politics) was the Sports Company would ensure that funding was easily accessible to some of the major sports in this country instead of having to endure the bureaucracy of the Ministry of Sports and the slow procedural process, that is perceived as a standard requirement of most government offices.

Most Sporting persons were always faced with delays because of the slow level of interest and sometimes inactivity at the Ministry of Sports and therefore constant cries of late funding, led to many welcoming the Sports Company. It was generally felt at the time, that this was not very well accepted by those at the Ministry of Sports that felt their power and prestige was being eroded too quickly, and their importance was being diluted. It was an uncomfortable relationship despite the plaudits from both sides of a cool and calm atmosphere.

In time, the Sports Company was questioned about its allocation of funding and the whole question of the levels of approval for certain events.  In the past, persons from the Ministry of Sports were appointed on the Board of The Sports Company and this was supposed to have assisted in the general thought process behind the funding issue. However, this has not worked as well as many imagined, because the major differences and the respect between both parties was not adequately addressed by all concerned.

One of the problems being experienced by many in sports in all areas and all sectors is the entire question of too many personalities involved. Everyone wants to be the chief, whether they are from the Ministry of Sports or from the Sports Company or elsewhere, they constantly want to have the final say and  appear to care less about the athletes than their “ way” being the only way forward.

At this stage, there seems to be another change with more responsibility being handed back (or returned) to the Ministry of Sports, rightfully or wrongfully. We cannot say, if that is the will of the Minister of Sports Anil Roberts on his own or if he has been influenced by others around him. It must be noted that the Minister’s current reported special advisor for sport is one Carolye Kellar whose previous sporting incarnation was as an employee of the Ministry of Sports. It is all of these perceptions that lead to many questions and cause the lack of trust that is emanating between several of the sporting organizations and those in authority.

The way forward for the Ministry of Sports, the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago and all of the National Sporting Organizations must involve constructive discussion and fair play. There is too much animosity between some of the main players. It is almost to me, as if there is feeling from all sides that we must do our best to ensure “you do not succeed”, forgetting it appears the many sporting persons whose careers and futures are dependent on these persons. And in this, we are not merely discussing the fact, that athletes, from football, athletics, volleyball, netball and boxing are time and again still being denied a chance to utilize the facilities at the various stadiums in Trinidad and Tobago, despite the best intentions of the Minister.

We need for the Minister of Sports to take charge , as he promised and not be concerned with upsetting those who he believes have some influence.

I will say  this , I am disappointed by the Minister of Sports , because having known him for so long in sports, I honestly expected more and I also expected him to deliver for the athletes given his sporting background , but at the same time , I expected him to be stronger with both the Ministry of Sports and the Sports Company . Perhaps, I am expecting too much.

It is not only several sporting organizations that have their affairs in bad shape, but also it is strong and steady leadership that can help to educate them. The Role of the Ministry , should be more of a facilitator , rather than just seeking to be an implementer , the Ministry needs to guide people , the staff of the Ministry of Sports needs to seek to train persons and not just accept collecting a salary because they believe no one listens to them.

If the Minister of Sports is not careful, he could very well find that persons believe some at the Ministry of Sports control the future and development of sports in this country more than him. I do not feel that is so, but while we all wish the best, there are always one or two persons that seek other alternatives. To be involved in sports, this must not be a job, it must be a love and therefore if you love something, you need to put your heart and soul into it at all times. There will always be good days and bad days, but the test will be to persevere amidst all that is happening.

The Minister also needs to be wary about making promises , which are not his to entirely keep , because then many in sport become disillusioned and lose trust in his words , even though matters may be out of his control. The experience of the National cricketers and those involved at the Pro League level are but some examples of situations where a lot was expected and not yet delivered. Motor Sport is also having similar problems, as too swimming with the Goodwill Meeting almost cancelled but for the intervention of a few corporate citizens. This is not the legacy any Minister would like to leave, much less one who has vocally said so much on the sport in the past.

As Minister , he needs to review and assess certain contracts , even if it means involving outside experts for advice , no one man, no one person knows it all , that is why collective responsibility needs to be employed , as a  positive step forward. Also a properly coordinated awareness of the elite funding programme would be a step in the right direction.

Sports is the way forward for society to be at peace with each other and the sooner everyone understands this , the better for all of us.

:: AB

 

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