IPSAC, ISSAC hosting – plenty lessons

The Ministry of Education hosted the National Lotteries Authority Inter- Primary Schools’ Athletics Championships (IPSAC), as well as the Inter-Secondary Schools’ Athletics Championships (ISSAC) on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

Generally, the ante was upped, as the level of organization showed improvements in some areas.

There were also some enhanced performances on the track, as many of the schools have placed emphasis on the championships, hence they made an extra effort, which reflected in the overall returns.

Also, the addition of the big screens was a welcomed sight, giving patrons a close-up shot of the on-track activities, which added some international flavour to the occasions.

The use of modern-day technology was not spared, as the live feeds, via social media, the use of drones and the like, in an instant sold the event to those who were not physically present.

In short, it was the most publicized IPSAC and ISSAC events, albeit in an age where there are so many outlets for the dissemination of information.

Additionally, the two days were not short of ministry officials, who downed tools and got their fill at both championships.

Therefore, without a doubt, the undertakings by the ministry saw the widest use of media publicity and “marketing”.

However, in the plaudits being hailed, all the eggs are being put in one basket, leaving the other sporting disciplines under the Ministry of Education’s ambit to fight for the shells.

For IPSAC and ISSAC, it is all hands on deck, whilst at the other competitions, sometimes except for one or two persons, most officials don’t seem to have the courtesy to show their faces.

This surely would be borne out today, Thursday (Holy Thursday), when the George Stephens Secondary and the Sandy Bay Secondary meet in the schools’ cricket final, also at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

Resources are found everywhere to ensure that everything is fit and ready for IPSAC and ISSAC; similar efforts cannot be had for other sports.

Within the promotions, the aim was to have the venue flooded with students on Thursday, the hosting of ISSAC.

This was not the case, as many of the students chose to stay on the outside, although they had been granted a school holiday. unlike the previous day, when there was a far better turn out at IPSAC.

Then, a rethink is needed, as the attendance on Thursday was not reflective of the output, in terms of promotion.

Those who are charged with that responsibility for hyping the events have to approach with some caution and although well meant, the awarding of monetary gifts to the young athletes may come to hurt them down the road.

This acceptance of prize monies is against the rules and operations of some educational institutions and governing bodies for colleges in the USA, where most of our athletes seek to further their craft, through scholarships.

Also, the promoters have to be guarded by their overemphasis on the sideshows, such as the cheerleading, face painting and the like, that lessen the significance of the main event, which is track and field.

Surely the aim is to develop a product that everyone would want to look forward to, but the activities on the track must take precedence over everything else.

It is pointless boasting about IPSAC and ISSAC and our athletes are only competitive here at home.

This is not only for the ministry, which is directly responsible to taking charge of the events, but for the governing body for the sport – Team Athletics SVG.

At IPSAC and ISSAC, there were some encouraging performances, but they are going to be just one-day glorifiers and then nothing long-term comes out.

Government, physical education teachers, coaches, parents and other stakeholders have a role to play in ensuring that the hosting of IPSAC and ISSAC is not just simply two days of high energy from the young athletes, but an investment in their future.