Going after that sporting culture

St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has not systematically embraced the establishment of a sporting culture; hence, we are lagging behind in accepting the various disciplines, and what they mean to national development.{{more}}

So, competitions and tournaments are staged — teams or individuals win or lose; prizes are handed out, the winners revel and the losers sob. Story done; then we await the hosting of another.

Generally, that is what passes for sports as a recreational conduit, and no more.

But even though that is the reality, do we ever sit and consider what would have been the outcomes had the active participants, young and old, as well as the many spectators been minus these competitions and tournaments?

There lies the social and mental significance of sports; hence the need to foster a culture that does not only engage in sporting activities, but promotes it too.

An understanding of the meaning of sports, its intricacies and what it takes to reach the top would help in giving greater support for our sportsmen and women of all ages.

Likewise, when at the national level, persons bad mouth and criticize the players for not winning, had we an embedded sports culture in train, spectators would have known how to rally behind them and provide that added moral support.

Sad to say, but Vincentian teams playing here at home are like the visitors, as they are often exposed to the harshest criticisms from their own.

Yes, support is there from them, but this is only forthcoming when success is achieved.

It is this type of reactionary approach that has us in the state whereby success is only measured by earning a medal or winning a competition.

A glimpse of this reality came last August when many Vincentians were in high spirits when Nikolas Sylvester won his heat in the 50m freestyle at the Rio Olympics in Brazil, albeit that the time produced did not allow him go any further in the competition.

This type of knee jerk response is commonplace, even with our policy makers, who make the promises of gifts and momentarily expound glowing words to those who excel and do well for this country.

But the euphoria stops there, as we seem to only live in the moment, as contained in our spirit of the now.

This, though, is not new, as many persons have gone before and have blazed the trail, set marks and have achieved much, yet they have not been revered in any form.

Their mention is, in the main, scant and terse, as there is no physical evidence, either in literature or otherwise.

In 2016, we are still indecisive about what forms of recognition should our standout sportsmen and women receive.

There are still unnamed edifices and sporting facilities which, with some thought and consultation, could see many of our past sporting heroes and heroines being honoured with the naming of these venues.

Are we going wait until they are dead and cannot enjoy the rewards, then rush and bestow such honours posthumously.

This is not to say that there have not been efforts to document the exploits of such persons, but these have been the undertaking of a few persons by way of newspapers articles.

The naming of some of the pavilions at the Arnos Vale Playing Field after those who have contributed to its development, along with the labelling of the nets, in the honour of Wilf Slack, are commendable moves.

Similarly, the naming of the national twenty/20 cricket competition after Neil Williams, follows the same vein. The National Olympic Committee, some years ago, moved to list the achievements of the Balllantyne family of sports. Also, Junior Butler sought to capture those who have contributed to the upliftment of sports in the Stubbs area.

But these are just a few aspects towards crafting the larger picture.

Changing the tide does not start with persons flocking to sporting events, jumping and cheering for their teams, but should be engendered from as early as possible in the getting the young minds to acknowledge that sports is as important as their academics.

Sports must not be seen as a way out for those who are school dropouts, or those who are not adept in the subjects taught in the formal education system.

We need to get to that point that sports has been able to reform and mould characters; hence, it has contributed effectively to lessening some of our social challenges.

Creating a sports culture cannot be the task of any one group of persons, but essentially it must be national undertaking, chartered by government guiding principles of action.

Our schools’ curriculum should be reflective of this move towards a sports culture; incentives have to be offered to all stakeholders in sports in order for any realistic movement for the good to takes place.

Of greatest significance though, is that our sports people have to play their part in selling themselves worthy of making wholesale investments.

A sports culture for St Vincent and the Grenadines may be elusive, but not impossible to attain.