Again, back to the drawing board

It should now have become clichéd that almost each time a national representative team leaves these shores on an overseas assignment, on the return, the usual analysts call for an immediate review assessment to take place.

Such is the case once more for this country’s team to the 45th Junior Carifta Games, which took place over the past weekend in Grenada.{{more}}

Despite fielding one of the largest contingents to the annual games, following three days of competition, St Vincent and the Grenadines failed to create any impression and again were simply participants, rather than competitors.

The emphasis, though, was on the Under-18 age group and one would have hoped for a gauge of where St Vincent and the Grenadines lies relative to others which are on par with us in the region, namely the other OECS territories.

Although this was achieved to some extent, it was not the desired result, as what was revealed was a gulf in abilities.

It was not that one expected standout performances and a trailer load of medals, but some creditable times and distances, inclusive of more persons making finals of their events.

This is against the fact that some athletes were able to record some improvements by registering their personal bests.

Are these satisfactory returns, enough to suggest that St Vincent and the Grenadines’ track and field programme is going somewhere?

On examination, it should reveal that something is fundamentally wrong, as we are not doing certain things correctly.

Putting the current situation into perspective, the sport has found itself in a bind, as neither end of the age ranges have given glimpses that things are going change for the better anytime soon.

Therefore, the obvious course of action for the think-tank and decision makers of track and field in St Vincent and the Grenadines is to map out a course which would be productive with the talent pool which exists against the available human and facilities asset bases.

Notwithstanding the fact that St Vincent and the Grenadines does not possess a synthetic track for the athletes to train on, it is widely accepted that there is sufficient athletics capital for a continued investment in the sport.

With things evidently at the crossroads, there should and must be a turning point in thinking and fervour for the sport.

Unfortunately, contentment looms large and high on the priority list for the accolades which are copped in the local events, which are comparatively sub-standard achievements, when matched with others of similar status in the region.

Next Thursday, with the hosting of the annual inter-secondary schools’ meet, much will be said, and much will be done as the results unfold.

But is this the best we want to be as kings, queens and chiefs, only in our backyard?

Critical in changing this mindset are the coaches and trainers of the young and impressionable minds, which can be moulded into athletes who can achieve more.

Our coaches have to bind themselves as a unit, instead of the institutionalized approach of the dog-eat-dog mentality which is in place.

Collating and sharing of the expertise which all the practising coaches have in their storage banks, when magnified, should project only St Vincent and the Grenadines, as the bigger picture.

Also there must be a mending of relationships between the executive of Team Athletics SVG and the said coaches, as there seems to be a disconnect, in more ways than one.

Equally, there must be clear objectives set out by Team Athletics SVG, so that the coaches are guided accordingly.

If some positive changes do not come soonest, then it would be mere facades and farcical operations of what goes on here in track and field.