Effective Communication – A necessary sporting tool

The decision by the National Olympic Committee(NOC) to stage a two-day workshop on effective communication last week, in which this country’s elite athletes, as well as the Public Relations Officers of national sporting associations, were participants, was indeed well received.{{more}}

What was also encouraging was the involvement of some athletes, who are not necessarily national representatives, but who are on the verge of so becoming, and have the aspiration.

Dubbed ‘Re-defining Communication’, the two-day exercise was what this column has been clamouring for some time now.

Almost forgotten, little attention has been paid to this aspect of our sporting development.

Manytimes, one wonders if some sporting bodies exist, as their public relations arms are either severed or deemed incapacitated, as little is known of what happens within the confines of their operations.

But what is most worrying is that many of our national athletes are unable to handle the press.

As this column has expressed in a previous exposition, it is like pulling teeth, when one has to interview many of this country’s sportsmen and women, including those who have made it to the top.

One word responses are common, and many shy away from being interviewed, all together.

Not to be left out in this regard are those who have been appointed managers and coaches of the various national representatives. Some are no better than their charges.

Many are deficient in this regard, as some are selected based on their ability to disseminate skills or people management only.

With the other facets not being a part of the set up, or not being developed, many are at odds when confronted with such an undertaking.

National associations are also to be blamed for the neglect of this area, as they, too, do not promote these skills, either in house or at their regular Prize Giving Ceremonies. There is no reason why the top performers, on receipt of their awards, are not required to make a brief response.

Why can’t we adopt what happens at the major awards like the Grammy and the Emmy Awards?

At the recent Secondary Schools Cricket Finals, some of this country’s brightest were in the limelight for their outstanding performances, yet they just went to the podium, accepted their trophies, and that was that.

Here should be the training ground for the exposure of such players, who undoubtedly have their eyes set on making the West Indies Cricket Team.

But one chides the national associations, the annual National Sports Awards, which is the crème de la crème of all sporting awards, as this is not done.

So, should we continue to have our national athletes having to be at sixes and sevens when put on the spot to answer a few questions posed to them?

Whatever is said or not said reflects not only the athlete, his/her national association, but the entire populace of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The entire package of the athlete is paramount, his/her tone of voice, the spoken words and body language must be in place, for good effect and perception.

There is a school of thought which promotes media personnel for teams, in order to reduce the incidences of blunders. However, the athlete cannot be shielded forever, and must learn to fend for himself/herself.

It is often at the highest levels of West Indian sport, namely Cricket, that the inabilities are unearthed.

As recently as the first test match in Jamaica last week, relatively new entrant to Test match Cricket Davendra Bishoo answered a questioned which he was not asked.

So, should we shield him and others and leave team communication solely to the appointed media officer, the captain, the coach or the manager?

Therefore, from the club level, to the national associations, that is where it should begin, where each should take responsibility and ownership for promoting effective communication.

So, on the local front, with the fires lit, the national associations should now initiate their own training as everyone seeks to enhance this important tool.

No enhancement, though, for the continued presence of the Mound at the Sion Hill Playing Field.