The fundamentals are always important in sport in the absence of basic skills that can withstand close examination in the cauldron and the heat of competition. The higher the level of competition, the more rigorous the examination. Skill and technique go hand in hand. The higher the competition the higher the stakes. Mastering the basics begins at the grass roots level of sports in schools and clubs. You can’t or ought not to put the cart before the horse. There is a pyramidal structure that has served sport well and for most of the nations that excel and excel consistently at the professional and Olympic level, this pyramid ecosystem is proven. Talent identification and competition preparation comes after the foundational level. Any efforts, attempt or policy that wants to sustainably develop sport must as a perquisite embrace this as a core value and strategy. The time line between support for sport and exploiting sport is becoming blurred.
It’s subtle so subtle it’s hard to discern.
Ask a simple question: “what’s in the best interest of sport” and there will be an overflow of answers, priorities, opinions and solutions, most of them well intentioned, passionate and pregnant with enthusiasm. The follow up question would be what is the thought process or thinking that informs the course of action that is to be adopted. What is the thinking behind the decisions that are been made and the variety of answers, views or opinions. That's why there is need for those involved intimately in the running, administration and management of local sport to take a step back and reflect and review where we are going. Take a different look at what is been done and the thought process that is driving the decisions. Are we supporting sport or are we exploiting sport. How can we be supporting sport when the sports clubs that are in membership of National Sport Organisations and National Governing bodies aren't receiving the urgent attention that is essential to their long term survival?
How are we supporting sport and not exploiting sport when high performance sport and development are spoken about as if they are one and the same? How are we supporting sport and not exploiting sport when one size fit all is considered the most convenient approach? How are we supporting sport and not exploiting sport when there is a reluctance to embrace a long term athlete and sport development methodology? How are we supporting sport and not exploiting sport when the role of national sports organisations and national governing bodies isn't respected? How are we supporting sport when volunteerism in sport is not encouraged? These are just a few of the questions that need to be debated and discussed. National Sport Organisations are responsible for governing, administrating and managing and developing their respective sports. It is the NSOs who must decide. Good, transparent and accountable and ethical governance of sport in T&T requires that support for the best interest of sport and the athletes must come
first. Sport must therefore be supported not exploited.
It’s easy to be fooled, conned or to fall prey to articulate and intelligent sounding pronouncements. But as we are learning many who claim to have the answer really don’t. There are a number of solutions on the table but not many can stand the sustainability test. By failing to ask the hard and necessary test we are setting the stage for sport to be exploited. National sport organisations have a responsibility to honor the trust placed in them by athletes, sponsors, parents and guardians. The approach and attitude to sport and sport development in T&T needs to be reviewed.
We need to pay close attention as to whether we are supporting sport or exploiting sport.