How can we get sport on the economic agenda? Why is it so difficult to get sustainable development stakeholders to give sport a hearing?
There are a lot of nice sentiments expressed about the role sport can play. But against a background of policy development and strategic visioning can we really say sport is on the table?
How can we further the idea of transforming the sport sector to a value creation and added value culture?
a Last week two important events were held in T&T and it’s hard not to feel that local sport was left out once again.
The two events were: The third annual Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF). CIF allows for very important discussions that can impact micro and macro enterprises and is attended by captains of industry, heads of government, regional and international investors. Critical issues such as entrepreneurship, innovation and investment opportunities are discussed.
CIF is presented by InvestTT whose mission is to sustainably grow T&T’s non-oil and gas sectors.
There were sessions on Public Private Sector Partnerships (PPPs) and new Opportunities in Tourism yet no significant representation for sport.
No blame can be placed on InvestTT. It is not their responsibility to chart the way forward for local sport.
The other event held was the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers' Association (TTMA) Trade and Investment Convention.
Again local sport was not a full participant.
If sport lacks respect or the attention from those who are responsible for charting the country's economic welfare, it’s the fault of sport. I am not pointing fingers at Sport Company or the Ministry of Sport.
I would like to see the national sport organisations at the forefront of the efforts to get sport on the agenda of InvesTT and TTMA.
Those who are responsible within the national sports organisations for the strategic thought leadership must take the lead role.
Sport has a place at the economic table—a modern, innovative and vibrant sport sector is key to Trinidad and Tobago's economic future.
But for the idea to be taken seriously, local sport stakeholders have to take it seriously.
How do we improve the operating environment?
How do we create and develop markets, goods and services for sport?
We need to do research and provide sport stakeholders with the information and knowledge of trends.
It’s up to local sport to earn the respect of organisations such as InvestTT, TTMA, Chamber of Commerce, the local business journalists and media.
There are any numbers of initiatives and strategies that can be adopted to incentivise interest in a sport industry.
Let’s call it the drive to thrive.
Those who have told me the task is daunting point to the struggles of the T&T Pro League as an example.
Instead of looking at the strengths of the Pro league, attention is always focused on why it can’t work.
It’s time we get past the negativity and focus on a strategic vision for the future of sport.
Let the talking points surround sustainability and a vibrant legacy and the positioning of local sport for what’s coming and shaping the direction that sport should be heading.
Sport leaders of today face entirely different challenges from those of years ago.
Today’s leaders wear multiple hats and must be able to understand all aspects of the challenge in front of them.
They need intellectual honesty to articulate a path to the future that is viable.
A rethink is needed to inspire a new strategy, vision and ambition.
Local sport has to look reality in the eyes and decide how the future should look... Ask and answer the question—how will T&T and the world look in five, ten years from now?