Are we losing the joy of sports?

Day after day, the real meaning of sports is losing its purpose.

Sports, play, games and other physical activities are primarily for fun, with the other objectives coming down the chain.

Hence, the first thing children are attracted to is play, whether it is free play or structured.

Even in organized amateur sports, coaches and the coaching manuals put enjoyment at the helm of the purpose of involvement in whatever sporting discipline.

Unfortunately, over time, we here in St Vincent and the Grenadines are losing the whole essence of sports and although our competitions are amateur in construct, there has been a gradual decline in gaining a sense of joy in taking part in events.

Are we, as people, too consumed with our personal agendas that fun and sports have been relegated to the near bottom of our ladder of desire?

Ironically too, we have lost that competitive edge and passion for sporting endeavours.

On both counts, we are not better off, as there is a marked diminished interest in the few fun events which take place and there is a decrease in returns from national representative teams, when engaged in regional and international competitions.

When only nine teams found reasons to be part of the Firms and Industrial Netball Tournament, which opened last Monday at the Kingstown Netball Centre, that tells where we are.

In fact, this tournament was last held in 2014; hence, it should be one players would have been yearning for.

One would have also thought that with the many promotions for workers to get involved in sports and other physical activities as a means of relieving on the job stress, participation in the tournament would have been better.

The tournament, which to all intents and purposes is for fun, had to be postponed twice because of slow registration and essentially, lack of interest.

Apart from the common denominators of fun and bragging rights to be had from such tournaments, are there underlying factors which are preventing greater participation in such events?

But as one ponders on the possible cause(s), even the policy shapers are adding to the demise of sports among public sector workers.

A few years ago, they came up with the inter-ministerial games. Up until last year, several sporting disciplines, namely dominoes, street 20 cricket, football, netball, table tennis and volleyball, were contested over a seven-month period.

We are almost at the end of 2017, and one is yet to hear a word on these games.

Have they been shelved altogether? Or have the organizers decided to take a break this year, to re-assess and restructure the format?

Whatever the reason(s), it speaks to that loss of appetite for sports among our people.

Similarly, there was a potent Rotary Club South Independence Softball Cricket Competition, which was well anticipated, as it sought to bring firms and family members together on weekends at the Arnos Vale Netball Complex.

Staged under the lights in a fun setting added to the general acceptance of competition.

That competition has been shelved for a few years now, and can be deemed history.

Many years ago there was a firms’ cricket competition. This too, has drifted into eternal memory after a few competitions.

In place though, is a firms’ football competition, put on by the Breakaway Masters Organization.

This year marks the seventh edition of that competition; however, care must be taken, as the competitive edge has to be blunted, so as to preserve the fun and continue to get those footballers who just want a “sweat”, to do some without inhibition.

Change takes place practically every day in the national sporting landscape, as a result of varying factors.

But, there must be a national policy decision, followed by decisive action, that fun events be encouraged, especially at the community level.

Our various communities should go this route as a release valve for many of the social tensions which are simmering within them.

Are we too far gone for this to happen and ease the built-in tension?