Lessening possibility of explosion

In recent times, there have been some reported incidents of violence in sports.While such incidents are not new, it pricks the concern chord, as they involve match officials.{{more}}

Unfortunately too, the reported cases which came to the fore, were in the sport of football.

They also come at a time when the sport, which nationally, is just trying to hold its head above water, after being swept out to sea in billows of strong administrative allegations and inefficiencies, could do well with a lifeguard of respectability.

There was the fracas at the Campden Park Playing Field in the National Football Club Championships, which resulted in a match official receiving bites from two players and a similar occurrence, which took place in the Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines Barrouallie League.

But it is a normal happening at football matches; there is that verbal tirade and abuse which referees, their assistants, organizers and other league officials endure on a regular basis.

One would readily say that these are expectations in life, as we are living in combative and intolerant times.

However, as the saying goes and is true to some extent: “Words are kind, but blows are unkind.”

Therein lies the difference, as any physical attack on persons who sacrifice their time to ensure that sports in St Vincent and the Grenadines go ahead, must be condemned with the loudest abhorrence.

It is a fact that no one was seriously hurt in the above mentioned incidents, but the fallout can be more injurious.

Oftentimes, the isolated fight, that argument and the occasional tiff can mushroom into fall outs and even altercations with others drawn into the melee. History would recall just over 14 years ago, one such incident, which germinated on the football field, festered so much that it is believed that it was the cause of the death of a young man.

The issues of violence in football and sports in general in St Vincent and the Grenadines are a wider societal fracture which cannot be mended with wishes.

But a close examination of some of the sparks which ignite the emotions of persons at sporting events are the players’ ignorance of the rules and laws governing the sport they engage in themselves.

Invariably, the reactions of players to calls of officials incense their team mates, who are equally witless, and the chain is linked to siblings, relatives, friends and those who are mongers of stupidity.

In many cases as well, team officials, who should be the most level headed, when they think they are wronged, display dissent to the match officials, thus fuelling the flames of misunderstanding.

This is not to say that match officials do not err, or that they do not show incompetence and arrogance in the dispensing their duties, as there are instances when they officiate with an iron fist and with the spotlight thrown on them.

Therefore, almost all around, it spells a losing situation for whatever sport is at the centre of attention.

Fear Factor

Umpires, referees and other match officials who officiate in the various sporting disciplines here in St Vincent and the Grenadines, give of their services voluntarily.

The stipend some get at the end of tournaments are merely tokens of appreciation.

But we are seeing a fall off of persons who willingly come forward and give their services to the various area organizations, as well as the national associations.

Clearly, this is a direct response to the unwarranted abuse they receive from persons who in some way are connected to the particular sport.

Fortunately, there are those who brave the insults and still give of their time.

Unlike under territories in the region, there is yet to be a withdrawal of service of match officials, weary of the barrage of slurs meted out to them.

However, one cannot rest on the laurels of non-occurrence, and say it would never happen.

Therefore, tournament organizers and national associations should do all in their power to train their match officials properly, retrain them and constantly monitor them.

Clubs and team units should take the time out and ensure that they and their charges are knowledgeable of the laws governing the sport and the specific rules which are in place for the particular competition.

Incidences of ill-discipline must be thoroughly investigated by independent persons, with punitive measures instituted swiftly on the guilty parties.