This weekend across Barbados, as has become the custom, a large number of people will be involved in varied sporting activities, either as participants or spectators.
This is a deeply rooted tradition and a way of life that will hardly change. Sport builds bonds and bridges in a way that few other endeavours can.
Sport is not only a unifying force in the community, but stirs national pride and brings honour to the individual, a team and certainly a nation. This is why we must appreciate that sport is more than a pastime and must be taken seriously, given the opportunities it offers.
We are therefore delighted that the Barbados Olympic Association (BOA) will be getting additional funding over the next four years and plans to use some of that funding to help develop sporting activity in the island.
What is particularly welcoming is that the BOA will be looking specifically at strengthening the organizational and leadership capacity of its affiliates. This is a sound decision and much needed area of help required by many of the various sporting associations.
While we accept that the administration of most sports associations in Barbados will depend on volunteers and that their efforts must be encouraged and applauded, it does not point the best way forward.
Sport offers tremendous opportunities and if we are to see the best returns on investment, both in players and developing the particular sport, then we must adopt a new, more businesslike approach.
We have to learn from the success of others. Many of the sport-frenzied fans across this island can speak of the success of the clubs and associations in the various sports across North America, in Europe and even South America.
We understand the nature of the sports business, given the benefits offered players, coaches and managers and also the climb down when they do not deliver.
In this global community of which we are very much a part, our expectations of our sportsmen, their leaders and the clubs are no different.Â
Some of our sporting organizations and clubs have been around long enough and have developed a national appeal that they ought to have structured day-to-day secretariats with proper support systems in place.
Unfortunately, the weaknesses and vacuums are evident whether it is with the large, well established multi-sports club or long-standing associations. The dependence on a few volunteers is fraught with problems.
Our sporting associations and clubs must therefore have their plans and strategies in place. The old approach of building the organization around a few people – after whose departure the organization folds or goes into serious decline – is no longer acceptable.
Sporting activity is a new frontier of opportunity for this country, and it must be fully exploited.
