Source: www.guardian.co.tt
By Brain Lewis
Team is also an acronym for “together everyone achieves more”. It’s a philosophy and mantra to live by, yet if you listen to most commentators or critics within and without sports in T&T, the blame game is the biggest game in town. This is not to say that criticism is not at times justified, however, the blame game while it does well for the ego, it achieves little else. Even though there are individuals, who thrive and prosper in the adversarial and contentious system that now seems to be the primary approach to addressing all things and issues facing our country, it is a case of short termism. Tough rhetoric is good for selling papers but in the main, it’s outright ineffective. But again in the adversarial system it can act like a whip. So for those who believe that corporal punishment and a good tap behind the head never killed anyone, no harm done.
Inherent in any National Sport Organisation (NSOs) or national sport system should be the understanding that team and teamwork are essential. That is why it is always disturbing when sport leaders, fall into the trap of maximum leadership. A mode of operating that is unconstitutional, as constitutions do not express the office of president as an executive presidency. Such a practice is not in accord with good governance principles in any event, nor does it foster transparency and genuine accountability. It is a leadership style that bears examination and should be challenged. It is in this respect that individuals elected as executive committee members have to accept full responsibility. If one were to closely examine why many NSOs run into problems and controversies it is down to this one issue.
Now the usual excuse is that executive members are incompetent or lack the knowledge and skill. Then how and why, and on what basis were they elected in the first place. In many instances this is manifestly untrue-on the contrary there are very competent executive members. It cannot be healthy for any organisation that by virtue of force of personality, access to resources, knowledge—a one man or one woman show-should flourish. The problems and challenges facing modern sport in T&T cannot be solved from the lens of one individual or perspective. One would be willing to accept that maybe in an earlier time due to the operational environment it was, perhaps, necessary for the maximum leader style of governance to be adopted.
It is arguable but it seemed to have worked. We are however in different times-in an environment that is complex, fast changing, multi-dimensional and diverse. No one person will have all the answers. NSOs are membership federations, affiliated to international federations or governing bodies. A fundamental fact, those who hold positions on executive committees are democratically elected by the legitimate membership. There is a clearly defined structure outlined by the International Federation responsible for a particular sport. The autonomy and independence of a NSO is expressed, unambiguously so at that. This autonomy is a responsibility and a privilege, not a right. The twin pillars remain the letter and spirit of the law.
If taken at face value solving some of the pressing problems should be easy-just apply common sense, goodwill and teamwork. I often wonder why once elected into office some seem to forget the pledge made to stakeholders- which is to do things better, more transparently and to put the best interest of the athletes and participants first, second and last.
Brian Lewis is the Honorary Secretary General of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee-http// www.ttoc.org. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the T&TOC.