Not settling for less than the best

It is normal at this time of year that many wishes for a bright and prosperous New Year are common choruses, as one looks forward to the coming year.

The same is the case with sports, as everyone looks forward to a better 12 months, both on and off the field.{{more}}

The case is not dissimilar for St Vincent and the Grenadines, as we have to continue to make it not only a wish, but a heartfelt desire to up the game in all facets.

One will readily look back at 2015 and say that there were some successes; of course, there were and much accepted too.

Most disciplines had something to show in their end of year report and pluses to go with them.

In listing a few attainments, our Under-19 and senior cricket teams won the Windwards tournaments; likewise the RSVG Police Force copped the regional law enforcement officers’ set-up.

The nation’s young volleyballers spiked their way to the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association Junior Male title as well.

The sport of football saw triumphs at the senior Windward Islands Football Association (WIFA) level for both the men and women outfits. The women, in the process, were crowned inaugural champions.

More positives and firsts were pouched by football, as the female Under-20 team made its way to the semi-finals of the Caribbean Football Union’s competition, while the men’s Under-23 reached the final phase of the regional Olympic Qualifiers.

As a spill-off and follow-ups, Myron Samuel and Oalex Anderson earned professional contracts with the Sounders 2 in the United Soccer League in the USA, with only male players sought by clubs in Antigua and Guyana.

Also, three female players – Shadel Cyrus, Shelisa Hazell and Teffie-Ann Browne jetted off to a US college to further both their football skills and their academic statuses.

And, as usual our Junior and Senior squash outfits were again the dominating team at the OECS outings.

Individually, Shne Joachim again copped medals at the Junior Carifta Swim Championships, with Reuberth Boyde earning St Vincent and the Grenadines’ first male sprint medal at the Junior Carifta Track and Field showpiece.

Similarly, the tennis duo of Alexi Humphrey and Anastacia White paired off to win the Under-14 doubles in the Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago legs of the ITF regional circuit.

Also, Kineke Alexander ran her way to third place in the 400 m at the Panam Games.

Another of athletics’ takes, was Pamenos Ballantyne’s triumph in the British Virgin Islands’ Half Marathon.

Of note was junior squash player Jason Doyle being at one stage, during the last 12 months, the highest ranked Under-19 Caribbean player in the world.

Doyle showed his worth, as he went on to take the plate prize at the Commonwealth Youth Games.

The aforementioned could be considered the best efforts and equally returns which would have at least given the nation some hope and moments to rejoice.

But the successes/positive results are relative and should not always be looked at as the highest levels of achievements.

This is against the backdrop that St Vincent and the Grenadines continues to be woeful at the Under-15 phase of the annual Windwards tournament.

Additionally, our netballers are not getting it right at the Under-23 competition at the OECS set-up since 2013, the last time of tasting overall victory.

This is critical, as it is the best test and outlet of their talents that is afforded our players, as senior competitions at the regional stage have been non-existent since 2010.

Netball is not the lone struggler at the tail, as boxing, which once held its own, has been heading for the count.

Not much, however, can be faulted in the case of table tennis, which is currently seeking to rebuild its base and image after a protracted period of administrative setbacks.

Some of the disciplines when lumped, show us up at the Windward Islands School Games as not a real contender anymore.

However, most of what is bemoaned at our various sporting disciplines is hatched off the field as the rifts, the lack of ‘stickability’ by those who are charged with their various portfolios, among other personality wars and fights for turf.

So, should we look at ourselves and make that resolution to be the best we can be in 2016?

Are persons willing to work their socks off, instead of looking to blame the state of affairs and be contented with keeping their positions intact?

Would those with their baggage, which is wearing them down and will ultimately stagnate their respective disciplines, let go of something for the greater good?

What was attained in 2015 is indicative of the potentialities which our sportsmen and women possess in their natural reservoir.

It just takes that added push, that extra urge to maximize the latent talents which reside in all stake – holders of sports in St Vincent and the Grenadines.