Source: www.guardian.co.tt
April 2008
By Shari John 
In keeping with it’s objective of creating intelligent sport leaders and citizens the Sport Desk, kicked off it’s Thinking Sports Symposium, at the Trinidad Guardian, last Saturday.
Largely geared at Secondary School students, it is the eight in the Thinking Sports series put on by the Sport Desk. Its aim is to impart on present and future sporting leaders of T&T, a greater understanding of the role that sport can play in the development of life.
Speaking first, The T&T Cricket Board (TTCB), President delivered his presentation, on ‘Sport and Education- The Right Mix’, highlighting the importance of education as an integral part of sport development.
It is Murray’s belief, that sport and education go hand in hand and as a society, we therefore need to find a way balance both.
“All teams are characterized as possessing an abundance of natural talent, but lack mental fortitude.” He lamented the fact that today’s society is such that young upcoming athletes are made to choose between sport and education. Sport he explained, is often seen as simply a form of recreation that should only be pursued if it leads to scholarships.
“There is a self fulfilling prophecy that teams will not have too many bright people playing for them, what then does that do for the self esteem and mindset of players?” Murray questioned.
Looking back, he demonstrated that it was the premier schools such as QRC, St Mary’s, Fatima etc. who produced some of the best athletes of that time, while still managing to maintain an academic standard. This he said was due to the structure of the school system which included P.E (Physical Education) and Sport within the school day in addition to the personal attitudes of the players. Admitting that times have changed, Murray believes that as a society, we must adapt.
“It (balancing sport with education) has been done in the past, and can be done in the future.” He said
The past West Indies Wicketkeeper/batsman also touched on the issue of having a sports academy in the Caribbean. “Often we depend on the WICB (West Indies Cricket Board) to put things in place, but as individual territories, we need to do more.” He went on, “While things are being done in T&T, they can be a lot more structured.”
Murray explained however, that cricket, as well as all other sports, should not be isolated from one another. “The cricketer, can learn something from the footballer, tennis player etc and vice versa, so that everything should be done on a harmonious level.”
Following where Murray left off, was Brian Lewis, Honorary Secretary of the TTOC (Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee), who do extremely well at keeping the attention of the eager participants. His topic, ‘The Olympic Ideal’, further reiterated the point that as a society, we expect everyone to excel academically.
“We continue to put forward the myth that if you’re not bright, you will end up in YTC, we cannot develop an Olympic athlete in an environment that does not encourage participation in sport.”
“God did not intend for T&T to have 1.3 million lawyers” Lewis went on.
Lewis pointed out that as a society we often brand individuals as failures because they are not academically inclined. “There is an abundance of talent in YTC and Remand Yard, but when we call a child ‘duncee’ and brand him a failure at the age of 10 or 11, he believes that he has nothing to live for in life and dying at the age of 18 way the barrel of a gun becomes an accepted way of life.”
The last speaker of the day, Don La Foucade, delivered his presentation of ‘Success and Failure’. Showing off his most intriguing ability of playing with words, his topic was well delivered.
“You get in life what you are, not what you want”, was just one of his ‘one line’ inspirational quotes.
The Author illustrated the ups and downs of success, or mountains and valleys as he put it across. “Be the change that you want to see in the world.” He challenged.” If greatness is possible, excellence is not enough.”
La Foucade challenged all participants to make a unique impression on the world, as it is his believe that even as individuals, we can make instrumental in change.
“When faced with a worsening situation, do not cast blame in any direction, after all, the next action is dependant upon your reaction.”
The symposium continues next Saturday with cyclist- Michael Phillips, National footballer- Denzel Theobald, West Indies All-rounder- Dwayne Bravo and Professional Volleyballer- Mark-Anthony Honore and Tim Nafziger, Marketing Consultant.