Freud called it “the narcissism of small differences.”
The neutrals in the society with no vested interest in the day to day running of local sport hold the notion that local sport is careening from issue to issue and that sport administrators and leaders are reacting as situations come up.
The questions those with no knowledge of what goes on in the corridors of power ask are: “why is sport in T&T a hotbed of controversy and what’s next? “
The general public wants success on the global sport stage. People feel good about themselves and the country when the nation’s sportsmen and women and teams win medals and qualify for world championships. For many it is a worrying prospect that London 2012 will be squandered if history is allowed to repeat itself.
The general public and media have an expectation that we will build on the success at the London 2012 Olympics.
What the country is afraid of is that London 2012 will go the way of Germany 2006 - the high point of Germany remained just that.
The country expected local football to build on its historic appearance in the FIFA World Cup final.
The country’s self-image was wrapped up in the global recognition and spotlight as being the smallest nation to appear at FIFA’s global showpiece in Germany.
The public is easily frustrated by what they perceive as a lack of care for the positive image of sport among sport leaders and administrators.
In recent days I have been asked what are the priorities of those responsible for leading and directing sport in T&T?
Is it to make sports more appealing to the next generation? Is there a plan to engage young people in sports or is it that sport administrators and leaders are more interested in fighting with each other?
Those are valid and tough questions. We can either stick with the behaviour patterns and mistakes of the past or choose a future in which local sport is run along the principles of accountability, transparency and with integrity and dignity.
To earn and keep the trust of sportsmen and women, clubs, coaches, the public, media, parents and sponsors, to engender confidence and credibility sport leaders and administrators must take a long hard look at themselves and their modus operandi.
The country expects more from those who espouse the values of sport and sport participation and who lead and run sport
The people of T&T must have no regrets when they think about local sport.
How do we best balance the competing demands? It can only be done in an environment of mutual respect, trust, good will and good faith.
If sport is to give hope and purpose to the youth of the nation and be a bulwark against arbitrary oppression there ought to be the willingness and determination to work through differences of views and opinions.
There is a level of respect owed to each other whatever the particular circumstances may be.
Sport leaders must back away from artificially constructed barriers.
There is mounting evidence that mutual respect and trust is in short supply within local sport.
Rather than denying differences and fighting, it is worthwhile to understand each other's perspective. Learn to accept differences. Perfection is a myth.
The wider national community deserves to be relieved of their anxiety about local sport.
Are our words and actions helping sport in T&T?
The choice is a simple one.
Think strategically about what’s in the long-term best interest of sport
Happy Independence T&T. God bless our nation.