Fixing football’s numerous craters

Undoubtedly, St Vincent and the Grenadines’ football, like other sporting disciplines here, needs fixing.

Over time some gaping holes have emerged in the standard of play and the general administration of the sport, resulting in defacing of the sport’s image.

Rolled into a bundle, we have moved to the stage of being shambolic and pathetic, such that we are no longer considered a nation to reckon with.

Football, whilst the most popular sport in the country, has been relegated down the order of administrative competence.

Those who are involved in football and who follow it have to be honest with themselves, that set aside the chest thumping and drum rolls about the miniscule achievements in infrastructure and otherwise, our football is in its worst state for many years.

The current national football administrators have not only devalued the sport, but cheapened its appeal and reversed progress.

But they do not stand alone, as many of our football units, along with the many administrators, have to collar the responsibility and blame for the regressive state we are locked in.

Our democracy has left us in this predicament, as most of football’s affiliates prefer the trinkets dangled at them as rewards for blind loyalty, at the expense of the sport’s development.

The present lot has wasted an opportunity to add value to football, and in similar vein has squandered the bounty of resources which were on offer during the last six years of their tenure.

So, at this point, football in St Vincent and the Grenadines is going nowhere; hence, the path of reconstruction must be crafted and pursued.

However, no quick fix will do, but a carefully structured approach is required, if we are to get close to our regional neighbours’ levels.

Therefore, a complete overhaul has to be the most viable option, as we have been left so far behind that only that can suffice.

First in the processes is identifying the right people with the acumen and who have the sport at heart and not themselves as priority, to set the design in motion and kick-start the rebuilding.

Decisions though, towards realizing any semblance of a structure, would have casualties, as one does not expect the same old wishy-washy modus operandi that exists.

The immediate eye test is that our standard of play at the age group levels and the senior national teams has deteriorated at the rate of knots.

This is so because little or nothing has been done, save and except a multitude of coaching courses; yet, there is no tangible or discerning upward movement exhibited when our various teams are on show.

This has been allowed to persist and the football politics have dictated this type of uncontrolled operation, as those who benefit revel in the callous approach.

Having the many competitions at every turn has been counter-productive, as without any objective other than convening them, counts to almost nought.

So, in plotting the lines to excavate ourselves from their quick sand of decadence, football needs someone at the helm who has that moral heft; one who understands deportment and the demands of holding such a position.

Also, the support cast members are equally culpable for the degradation, leaving the minority who want to adhere to best practices in a quandary.

Unfortunately, we have had the service of the best non-example of what football leadership should be in place, which makes the job of anyone to follow even greater.

But, have we, as a society, started to accept bad as good, once we get what is in it for us?

Has this type of conduct and acceptance been taken on board in a wholesome fashion, that the sport too has fallen prey?

Fixing football is a herculean task, but it can be done.

Whether we have the will so to do is the biggest ask.