Streamlining our football

There is no shortage of football being played here in St Vincent and the Grenadines, as strewn all over the country is a plethora of competitions. These competitions- namely community leagues- take place during the July to September window.

Notably this year, as many as fifteen leagues were in operation, most doing so at the same

time.

Whilst these leagues serve their social purposes, they are posing fundamental challenges to the ecosystem of football.

Run primarily to spot talent within the various communities, provide a social outlet for the residents of the respective locales, as well as create wealth within the hosts geographical location, year after year several challenges are rearing.

Whilst not unsurmountable, if left untethered, they can reverse the incremental progress which the

National Club Championships aim to do- which is to lift the overall status and standard of the sport.

It is for the vagaries and ad-hoc nature of these leagues or community competitions that over time persons have the terminology “Bush Leagues”, to describe the operations and execution of the football activities. The label is a direct comparison to the anything goes phenomenon that is prevalent at these competitions.

Yes, undoubtedly, the leagues are entertaining and give residents of the host community that sense of ownership and pride in achievement.

But most importantly, is the sport of football improved with that many competitions crammed in the relatively small operational space?

With duplication of players and teams, match officials, and competition for attention from the football public, there are resulting issues of scheduling, among other inherent problems.

It is a common occurrence for players to be involved in as many as five competitions at the same time.

Additionally, match officials, in their quest to get a substitute income, run themselves on fumes officiating from Sunday to Sunday.

Consequently, players get injured, officials are burnt out, and ultimately the sport suffers. This cannot be for the good of the game of football, as it boils down to simple recreation.

Indeed, community leagues have the embedded objective of providing that recreational conduit for their constituents. However, in doing so, there must be an equilibrium, as one wants to see Football in St Vincent and the Grenadines progress.

Hence, a complacency factor gets rooted in the psyche of players, who believe that they can just

show up and play, then all is well.

But they are then exposed when they are called upon to perform at the National Club Championships stage, and later, for St Vincent and the Grenadines. This in no small measure is the product of the leagues.

Therefore, there should be a distinction between recreational Football and competitive Football.

That conversation must be ignited like yesterday, as we are seeing a drifting away from standards as more is less when it comes to the production of quality players, which, in turn gives rise to efficient teams and clubs.

Whilst this exposition is highlighting the realities of the day, the concerns are not novel as in several quarters, the matters have been raised but to no avail. The buck though stops with the Exco of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation in concert with their affiliates to stop the rot. Again, we are doing more harm than good with a million and one leagues which is a repeat of everything. As was the case many years ago, administrators at the top of the Football hierarchy are reluctant to be firm in restricting the leagues, or putting operational guidelines in place as these leagues having voting rights that can go south should they be affected. Whether they see remaining in office as being more important than the development of Football, the overarching issue is one of laissez- faire.

Subtly, should the leagues allowed to be funded by the SVGFF, yet are autonomous in their functioning, then it is transmitted that is the blueprint for Football here in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Then we will agree to have the recurring decimal of having the same thing being repeated.