In the gallery next to my front door hangs a ceramic ornament of a smiley-faced Santa holding a sign that says “Believe.” A friend of mine, while visiting me, noticed the piece hanging there out of place because it is so far out of season. She gestured towards it and looked at me, awaiting my explanation. I said to her, “I like his message.” Corny perhaps, but it is said that when one surrounds him/herself with positive vibrations it directly impacts on their energy. Maybe it is just me, but this modus operandi has gotten me through many challenging periods in my life and so, I hold to this philosophical approach to life. This week, I found myself in the company of a former national athlete who described the local sports industry as stagnant. Stagnant! How much money has been spent on sport in T&T? And the best rating this intelligent, well-respected individual could give it was “stagnant.” Albert Einstein said, “Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better.” Well it isn’t hard to see that in nature once you stop moving forward, you eventually get left behind. Is this really where sport is at, in T&T? When our national athletes do not wear their team uniforms with a sense of pride, is it a reflection of their character? Or is it a symptom of something else that lies beyond the obvious? Far too often, athletes are blamed for inconsistent performances and conduct that is below the expected standard with little consideration to the interconnected nature of the industry. Not that I remove all accountability from the shoulders of athletes, but one must ask himself/herself, “Is it possible that the system has let them down too many times already?” Making what the public sees simply a reflection of things that are going on in the background. How fantastic would it be to sit five, ten, 15 years from now and be able to say, “Yes, things are different”? Instead of bringing in foreigners, we are investing in our own coaches, trainers, therapists, etc. Instead of showering our athletes with gifts when they are successful in competition, invest in them on their way to that point, so that they are not forced to secure their future by looking internationally. Instead of saying, “This is T&T! This is how it is done here,” we challenge ourselves, one day at a time to perform better and to influence those around us to do the same. Instead of bringing each other down, uplift and encourage each other. Instead of alienating those with an interest to see progress, harness that energy and support constructive initiatives. Some believe that the local culture of T&T has come to facilitate individual agendas and political manoeuvers to extreme lengths and as a result, Trinbagonians should not be surprised or disappointed when promises made are not fulfilled. Unfortunately, I cannot do that. I have to believe in something; otherwise, what would be the point? I choose to see that amongst the rampant chaos, there are those who believe in and enjoy what they do in sport. I have friends who are coaches and it is clear that coaching is not just a job but a responsibility they take seriously, particularly when working with young developing athletes. They see that they must provide the opportunities for their athletes in order for them to realise their potential to the fullest, both physically and mentally. I know clinical psychologists with sporting backgrounds, who passionately seek to develop the area of sport psychology in T&T. Considering the social state of T&T, I see this as an outlet to counter the abusive conditions that too commonly surround our children with abusive guardians whether physical or emotional; or parents who work too much or too little. And I can go on and on It is so easy and so logical to pull from each other’s strengths to make the whole that is so desperately needed in T&T and the brain power is within reach. There is always more than one way to do things. If the current method is not working, then try something else. Not always are the models that exist internationally the model that suits the local environment but that said, reinventing the wheel is a costly task that must be avoided—recognise what can be applied. The system in T&T is a frustrating one but the people within the system, I choose to believe in. To some, this may make me appear naïve, but it is the only way I know to be. I have to believe that the solutions exist; they are just waiting to be discovered.
-Asha De Freitas-Mosely
Source: www.guardian.co.tt