Running out of time

As St Vincent and the Grenadines celebrates its 38th anniversary of political independence, we are still lagging behind in having a national honour system for our outstanding sportsmen and women.

We are so good at eulogizing persons that we seem to forget that they would not be able to, in any way, feel the joy of the glowing tributes given in their honour.

Ironically, there has been recognition for sporting excellence, but in the name of the British Empire.

The overdue processes of national recognition for our sports people make our celebration of independence and nationhood a mockery, as we are yet to really and truly hold our own.

We cannot accept as national recognition of any significance, that at the National Sports Awards (which is not a sustained happening), some awards are dished out to persons who have added value to sports in St Vincent and the Grenadines over time.

Such recognition, though, lasts as long as the event itself, as the honourees then slip back into oblivion.

So, in the absence of a national Hall of Fame for sports, an apparent substitute has come about: that of the awarding of “Sports Ambassador” status.

Not necessarily wrong in concept, but in execution, leaves much to question, as their roles are still unclear, except for their tag line.

Flawed, and froth with subjectivity and preferences of association, the handing out of the sports ambassadors’ statuses has become of little value and significance.

This is so, as there was no objective pathway towards the naming of those recipients.

Are these named persons in any way revered, idolized and the like? Is there readily available literature on their achievements, which make them eligible and worthy of such accolade?

Too much is left to question; hence, a rethink should be a matter of course before others are added to the list.

It then stands to be pursued a system of national sporting recognition, based on merit.

But other than these national sporting awards, there are other forms of recognition that only have reached the stage of talk and promises.

There are many unfinished tasks which have been given a long stare of oblivion for many years, since such consciousness has gained currency.

What does it take for the authorities to name some of the sporting facilities under the aegis of National Sports Council as another way of paying homage to persons who have blazed the trail and given St Vincent and the Grenadines something to smile about in sports?

Yes, there have been attempts to adorn walls of the administrative building of the National Sports Council and the President’s Suite, with national team photos of yesteryear and the immediate parts, as well as Vincentian cricketers who have played for the West Indies or any other international teams, namely England.

These efforts, though commendable, are not sustained.

But more can be done, as there are some unnamed structures that are part of our premier sporting facility – the Arnos Vale Playing Field that can be better served with some identity, by adding a sportsperson’s name to them.

The same can be done at the community playing facilities, as there have been home town individuals who have contributed to the social upliftment of persons in their locales, through the medium of sports.

We are running out of time to make our sports people relevant, national treasures and icons in their own right.

The current young generation, who will be the movers and shakers in the next two decades or so, will not have anything to follow, as no trail has been left for them to retrace; hence, such meritorious national recognition may never take place.