All stakeholders seem to be on the same page.
We must do better in sports this year.
There is concensus that we fell way below the mark last year.
I won’t go as far as saying we can’t do any worse, but it is possible that what happened last year might very well be a reflection of falling standards at the domestic level in most of the disciplines.
If this is so, it means that we will be asking too much of our athletes to raise the bar significantly when they compete on the international stage.
I honestly think that we are becoming too sentimental in choosing personnel to represent the island.
If we keep selecting people who don’t actually meet qualifying standards, let us be quiet when they compete below par and in some instances fail to produce a personal best.
Let us stop pretending that miracles will be performed when we know from the outset, based on the regional or international standard, that some will not even be competitive at a specific time in their careers.
In such cases, the honour of representing Barbados has to be earned.
Some administrators have to take the blame for sending lambs to competitions where they will be slaughtered and have their self-confidence destroyed.
I will concede there are instances when precocious talent can be given a chance to gain experience but these are rare exceptions to the rule.
In other situations we can’t be seen to be rewarding mediocrity as if it is normal to do so.
If and when this happens there is no real incentive for people to improve.
In essence, my plea is for administrators to put the emphasis on high standards and proficiency even if it means smaller numbers representing Barbados.
The time is long gone when we are content just to participate and become sightseers at major meets. We simply can’t be giving some all-expenses paid vacations especially when funding is hard to come by.
What I do want to see, though, is that once any team or individual is chosen for a national team, that they are well prepared for the battle.
For example, it is believed that the netballers’ commendable showing at the Commonwealth Games had a lot to do with the two-week training stint they had in England en route to India.
I hope that whoever takes over as national netball coach will be able to build on what appears to be a solid foundation left by former coach Alwyn Babb.
It will also be a testing time for Ryan Brathwaithe who will defend the world title he won in Berlin in the 110-metre hurdles when the championships are staged in South Korea.
As the saying goes, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, and Brathwaithe knows they will be gunning for him.
I have faith in his intestinal fortitude, and he will have to take care of business in other areas to be on the podium again.
Swimmer Bradley Ally will also be under the microscope as his performances this year, particularly at the Pan American Games, will be a good indicator of what can be expected of him at the London Olympics next year.
It goes without saying that Sports Personality of The Year, Karen Meakins, will have more eyes on her than before and many will hope she can be even more successful this year.
I expect the precocious Akela Jones, Chelsea Tuach and Jalon Samuels to continue making giant strides in their respective disciplines.
I believe this could be a make-or-break year for fast bowler Tino Best.
His current form is immaculate and the doors to West Indies cricket are likely to be reopened for him.
I think he has the opportunity to stake a claim for a long run in the team. I hope he grabs the chance with both hands.
From a team perspective, the national under-17 footballers are on the verge of creating history. All they have to do is win their group in the next round in Jamaica next month and they will be flying the Barbados flag at the World Cup in Mexico.
Here’s a very pertinent case of a team that should get the necessary resources to prepare adequately for that crucial round in Jamaica.
As a parting shot, I want the minister of sports to put legislation in place that would finally guarantee job security for national selectees who work in the private sector.
This is one standard that can only be set by the powers that be.
• Andi Thornhill is sports editor at the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation and can be reached at andithornhill@yahoo.com
