Taking a step ahead

A stitch in time saves nine, has always been proverb that has made sense in its literal as well as its figurative meaning.

Therefore, making preparations, making corrections now, being proactive, all are precautionary undertakings that prevent the worse, or soften the blow.

The same is applicable as the world waits with bated breath, the outcomes of the United States’ impositions of tariffs.

Whilst there has been a pause of the actions by the US government authorities, the task is for all to take heed, by expecting the best, but plan for the worst.

The question will be advanced, what impact will such pending or expected imposition of tariffs have on sports here in St Vincent and the Grenadines?

Sports is not detached from other sectors of the Vincentian economic landscape. Conversely, sports albeit not a top priority relative to the annual budget allocations, will be affected should we endure the knock -on effects of the US actions.

Hence, our national associations/ federations and unions should already be positioning themselves to negate against the potential possibilities.

Not fast-forwarding problems, all of our national sporting organisations, in a large measure, are dependent on their international parent bodies for financial, technical and other tangible assistance.

It simply means when the parents are displaced in any form or fashion, it trickles down to their dependents.

With the over-reliance by the national sporting entities here, they will be in the direct firing line for reduced funding and other areas where the umbilical cords were attached.

This, as global events such as the FIFA World Cup, the International Cricket Conference World Cup, the Olympics, just to list the major ones, are the big money earners through television rights and other commercial activities that generate the financial up-tick and windfall that fuels the sustenance of their members.

It follows again, that any reduction in monies from these global functions, essentially translates into less for us.

Significantly, many of the major sponsors of the international affairs, have ties with the US, extending the ripples to the extreme ends of the spectrum.

Notably too, St Vincent and the Grenadines does not have a strong economic base, which further compounds our predicament, should the worst befall the world.

Like other areas of our economy, we import most of our sporting equipment, and should the planned tariffs come into being, we can find ourselves having to fork out more for these needed items.

As any normal business practice, manufacturers will not absorb the additional cost, but pass it on, with the final consumer facing the brunt of the adds-on.

Already, we have seen a down-turn on investments among the large manufacturers of sporting goods, already worsening what can be potentially a grave situation as things unfold.

Hopefully, the task force set up by the current political directorate of St Vincent and the Grenadines will take into the consideration sports and the consequences, in the event of any fall out caused by the US’ actions.

We are already lagging far behind, just holding our heads above water, and can ill afford any more debilitating factors that can place us further down the abyss.

The sit back and wait approach is not an option, but must be replaced by pro- activity.