There was an expectation that our track and field team would return from the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea with at least four medals. In the end, there was only Kelly-Ann Baptiste’s bronze to celebrate. Many were disappointed. It was Rudyard Kipling who said: “The game is more than the player; the ship is more than the crew.” Winning medals is not a given. There is no iron clad guarantee. Ask Usain Bolt. Much must go right for success to be attained. Our athletes did their best but for some arm chair critics that simply was not good enough. Comparisons with Jamaica are fanciful. Jamaica has a century head start on track and field excellence. In many aspects we are not even in the starting blocks when placed next to the reggae boys and girls. In Jamaica, track and field begins in primary schools. Jamaica’s deserved reputation as a sprinting powerhouse is well earned. Physical education is a big thing in their school system with track and field a priority.
Are we serious about sport? Do we deserve the sporting success that we crave? Or is it that we live in misdirected hope? The announcement of this year’s national awards listed deserving accolades for individuals who have worked tirelessly for the nation. But no person involved in sport merited an award of any ilk. There are persons who dedicate their time and energy to sport and by extension the nation every single day of the week for decades. While it may be difficult for some to believe, it is a reflection of sport’s lowly status and hand to mouth existence. What then is the objective basis for the perpetual optimism and high expectations? What are the factors that influence the numbers in respect of medals won or lost? A defined sport pathway begins with our communities and schools having access to sport through to talent identification and providing our high performance athletes with the best possible support. Underpinned and guided by principles of selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability and openness. Each stage requires specific skill sets, focus, objectives and resources. Separate yet interdependent.
With London 2012 less than a year away and 2016 five years away, the need to open up the lines of communication and put aside vested interests and turf wars is urgent. The priority must be to make sure that the chance of success for those most likely to win medals is maximized not compromised. Shouldn’t we look beyond the numbers so that we can address the issues? A lot of assumptions are made about the need to account for public funding of local sport and the perceived failure to perform. But those who make those calls are either blissfully unaware or strangers to the truth. A good beginning would be identifying the basic difference between spending money on sport and investing money.
A critical awareness of the factors and practices which currently shape elite and high performance sports, and an appreciation of the central issues are crucial and indispensable. When things go awry there is always more to the story than meets the eye. There is plenty to ponder as the yellow lights blink. This column has made the point regularly that sport leaders and decision makers must pull in the same direction as anything less will bring great disappointment. There has to be a common aim—consensus not divergence. While sport is in essence playing games, the running of sport is no game. The challenge to all involved is to get their house in order. Think what you will but the podium awaits our elite sportsmen and women, and national teams.
Source: www.guardian.co.tt
By Brian Lewis