Source: www.guardian.co.tt
By: Brian Lewis
We simply cannot bury our heads in the sand any longer. The public is losing or some may well say they have already lost all faith in those who hold office. Sport is receiving its share of scrutiny, some of it fair some of it blatantly unfair and cynical. The temptation to beg off is very potent. It is easy to pass off responsibility. Local sport is struggling and there is little short or medium term prospect of things getting much better. A bleak scenario indeed especially in the face of a sluggish local and global economy that is wreaking havoc with public finances. But some may wonder what is the connection between losing faith in office holders and decision makers and the economy. The answer is nothing and everything.
Accepting that there is a connection or not depends on any number of things. But this argument has been made many times before but it just is not resonating with people.
The macro impacts on the micro. No matter how you spin it National Sport Organisations (NSOs) are in the eye of the storm and prospects of emerging intact are slim very slim. It is indeed a sad situation. There are complex sociological issues that will never get addressed because of our tendency to respond and make far reaching decisions in a knee jerk, emotional and vested basis. It often leads one to wonder if any decision is made here in T&T with a national agenda or vision in mind. I may not always like it or feel comfortable with the public scrutiny because many times I am asked questions or made accountable for situations in local sport for which neither I nor any member of the TTOC executive can reasonably be answerable and accountable.
However, I do understand and appreciate the concerns and do feel that, genuinely so, the TTOC should not be held to a narrow remit. At the least, there is an expectation that the TTOC should represent the best interests of Olympic sport in its entirety. But the truth of the matter is that the TTOC has to balance any number of objectives in the face of resource limitations. Certainly the public does not entertain the view that the TTOC can wash its hands and turn away from problems either real or perceived with the excuse that there are issues that are beyond the realm of the TTOC. A tough predicament and a dilemma as perception is a double edged sword. Expectations come with the territory balancing those expectations are an important part of achieving objectives and goals. But even more so balancing expectations requires sober decision making. In the absence of sober decision making all hell will break loose.
If it is one thing that all NSOs should focus on as an immediate priority is sober and clearly thought out decision-making. For now forget all the fancy management terms and buzz words. Let’s all just think things through even if our decisions will be severely criticised and condemned. By doing that one thing we may at the very least be able to give an explanation with some modicum of respectability and integrity and offer a sense of hope to those who believe that it is only wicked madness taking place. It becomes harder and harder the longer people perceive that decision-making within NSOs are based on foolish thoughts and assumptions. Remember truthful words stand the test of time but lies are soon exposed.
Oh by the way just for the records I have never been an architect or served as a director of UDECOTT. It’s not me!