Playing with fire

Setting and attaining high standards in the operation of sports, especially in its administration, sometimes seems unattainable.

It is not that it cannot be done, but there is not that willingness to ensure that proficiency is maintained all round.

This sort of attitude has gripped the current United Insurances Secondary Schools Cricket Competition, which is facing its darkest hours.{{more}}

Replete with inefficiencies, it is better that the competition had never started.

The reports coming from the competition are unheard of in local Cricket circles. From insufficient balls, lack of score books, gear, match officials, the list is endless.

One would not think that the day would come when an unassigned umpire, acting out of goodwill and wanting to see the matches played, would have to carry out the dual role of scoring the said match he is umpiring. Unbelievable but true.

And, when there is (are) scorer(s) in place, few details are recorded, hence the information becomes woefully inadequate.

But what is worst of all, it was reported that one of the matches was scored on a book leaf. This sounds more like a game of Cricket played in the road or in someone’s backyard.

Therefore, obtaining details of the matches is sometimes almost impossible as no one seems to care to ensure that the matches are publicized.

Of concern too, is the scant regard to the players’ safety, with the inadequate provision of the necessary protective gear.

It is common knowledge that there is always a disparity in the abilities of some of the secondary schools which participate in this competition, and with the little preparation carried out, this creates a gulf in their respective competencies.

Additionally, some of the pitches these youngsters are asked to play on lack any sort of preparation, as this competition holds no great value.

With these factors established, the next best thing is for the players to be outfit in gear to minimize injuries.

For the safety and well being of some of the enthusiastic young cricketers; let us hope and pray that for the rest of the competition, nothing serious happens to any of them.

Likewise, reports have surfaced that at some of the matches, balls are in short supply, however, so far, the matches have gone on without this inadequacy causing any abandonment.

Whist all the debilitating issues are not of the Ministry of Education’s doing, the buck stops with them.

Unfortunately, no one from the Ministry wants to take hold of the competition, and ultimately, the responsibility for its smooth operation.

Is this the best we can give our youngsters when we often turn around and chastise them when they deviate from the accepted social norms as prescribed by our society?

Over the years, this Cricket competition has been the breeding ground for many of our national players, some of whom have gone on to represent the West Indies and play the sport at its highest level – the test level.

This high standards set in the past, are being eroded by the creeping institutionalized ineptitude as presently being displayed.

Another competition which is playing with fire, is the annual Netball Club Tournament, which is also taking place at this time.

The issues facing the relatively new Executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association, are inherited, however, history will show that this year, there have been more defaulted matches than in previous years.

The organisers were forewarned by this column, prior to the commencement of this year’s edition, that such disinterest would occur, and the best option would be to limit the number of teams they accept.

However, this suggestion fell on deaf eyes, and they are now presiding over a watered-down, lack lustre competition.

But, it is always said, who can’t hear will feel, and the Dellarice Duncan led executive of the SVGNA, is proving this truism.

Those in charge of organizing these competitions seem oblivious to the fact that they owe a debt of gratitude to the companies which have pumped in their hard earned scarce financial resources into sponsoring such ventures.

If drastic changes are not made soonest, and a concerted effort is not pursued in upping the efficiencies by addressing their short falls, we could quietly see these entities decisively withdrawing their corporate benevolence.

This must be avoided, and the ball is now in the hands of the guardians of the said competitions.