Counting our sporting elevations and acumen

The past week, the Vincentian sporting landscape received some good news with the attainment of higher qualification/ certification of Messrs. Chester Morgan and Theon Gordon.

Morgan received a World Athletics Coaches Education certification, making him a Level Two Lecturer in Middle/Long Distance running.

Such is his qualification that gives him the authority to deliver courses in the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC).

Of significance, Morgan can certify local coaches in long/middle distance training and events.

Meanwhile, Gordon is now the holder of a FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma. He thus has in his armoury knowledge in Technical Leadership; Coach Education; Amateur Football; Management; and High Performance.

Indeed, these are good boosters for the disciplines of athletics and football, as well as their personal development. Critically though, the two are in positions of clout as Morgan is the Technical Director of Team Athletics SVG, while Gordon is the Director for Technical Matters of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation.

Added, the two were among the first batch of Vincentian students who were enrolled at the Universidad Deportivo De Sur, Venezuela.

Since, they have been active in their clubs as both have doubled up in Athletics and Football as coaches, and are Physical Education teachers.

Hence, based on the previous experiences and engagements in sports, both Morgan and Gordon are expected to deliver and have an impact on their respective disciplines.

Here lies the most important part, the application of the new- found knowledge of the duo.

This column has every confidence that the two will apply themselves and have that imprint. However, they must get the support from their executives for execution to be meaningful and effective.

This has been the bugbear over the years, as several coaches and other technical personnel have pursued higher levels of qualifications and certifications, only to be stymied by bureaucracy.

Hopefully, this will not be the case, as anything that propels the way we do things here in St Vincent and the Grenadines in

relation to sports and its forward thrust, must be seen as pertinent.

Sports is fast paced in terms of development, where new practices and scientific approaches are coming to the fore at the rate of knots. Therefore, although we are some years behind, it does not mean that we must maintain that status quo but instead, buck the trend.

We cannot continue to be stuck in the old ways and have bright, young minds, pregnant with ideas and a reservoir of tenacity and enthusiasm and have them be nomads.

Today’s operations of sports require persons who are scientifically minded, possesses fertile thinking, and have a proper understanding of modern-day operations. Sadly, such persons are in abundance at the disposal of the governance structure of sports, but are often given limited opportunities to soar, because of antiquated modus operandi.

All in all, let us be optimistic that with the constant improvements in acquired knowledge from our students, that there is light at the end of the tunnel. St Vincent and the Grenadines is not where it ought to be in the acceptance of the immeasurable values that sports accrue.

We cannot mope and groan constantly, but be crusaders of change, and convert the misinformed, the ill-informed, and those who could care less about what happens in sports. Let us use this season of Christmas and wish that things detour and people in positions of decision making begin to listen to the right voices and effect change where necessary.

So, as we end 2025, a blessed Christmas to all who celebrate and observe the occasion.