The T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) in conjunction with the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Division of Education, Youth Affairs and Sport, recently hosted a sports administration course in Tobago, which was well attended. The interaction between the lecturers and the course participants was excellent, constructive and forward thinking.
It has taken the TTOC longer than anyone would have liked to get the logistics and arrangements in place to host what for many was a long overdue event.
Previously, the TTOC would have conducted Olympic Day relay activities and Olympic Youth camps in Tobago so it’s not to say that Tobago has been ignored by the TTOC.
Annette Knott, the current secretary general who previously served on the TTOC executive committee as a vice president, is a resident in Tobago.
It also must be said that over the years, every course, workshop and seminar put on by the TTOC, sport stakeholders from Tobago have always participated.
It is very evident that the sport fraternity in Tobago are deeply committed to sport and the sustainable development of sport in T&T. No one should question their dedication and sincere desire to pursue whatever is in the best interest of sport in T&T.
The THA Division of Education, Youth Affairs and Sport has always been more than willing to collaborate with the TTOC, once it’s in the best interest of sport and the athletes, that support is forthcoming. There is a shared vision of striving for excellence.
One of the huge benefits of the recent sports administration course was the opportunity it presented for open and honest sharing of information, concerns and feedback.
Coming out of this sharing between the TTOC and Tobago sport leaders, coaches and decision makers was a better understanding and appreciation of the perspectives and realities that are common as well as those that are different.
An area that really got my attention was the discussion on sport sponsorship. There are common issues and challenges but if one has to be honest there are dimensions of the local sport sponsorship landscape that must be considered unique to Tobago.
What I did assure the course participants and I want to make it public, is the assurance that the TTOC will host a sport marketing sponsorship workshop in Tobago. It is an initiative that all the participants agreed was important and necessary.
The TTOC will hold discussions with the Division not only to progress the sport marketing and sponsorship workshop but to ensure that the sport administration course held in Tobago recently is not a one and done TTOC effort.
Another issue that came up was the need for national sporting organistaions (NSO) to address the development of the respective sports in Tobago.
Many of the Tobago stakeholders had justifiable cause for feeling a bit ignored. It is possible in some instances that this may be a perception but it is clear that the development of sport in Tobago ought to be a priority on the agenda of national sport organisations.
Whatever the challenges, obstacles and issues may be, dialogue and goodwill will make sure the best interest of sport in T&T remains the focus.
The TTOC remains committed to the development of sport and the Olympic movement in this twin-island republic.
There are a lot of discussions that will be necessary if the objective of ten Olympic gold medals by the year 2024 is to be made real.
Every community and Olympic NSO must be part of the drive. It will take a team effort, unity and harmony.
One nation, one people, one T&T.