Robust strategic planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation must be the cornerstone of any plans of the Sports Company of T&T (SPORTT), the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs and various National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) to monetise the country's mega sporting facilities.
It may be said that such recommendation goes without saying, however, recent history has shown that government-led development of sport and sport for development may not be informed by proper research and follow a business model. For example was the LifeSport, Hoop of Life and the construction of the Tarouba stadium informed by proper research and strategic planning?
Moving forward, a review of the auditor general's report on the construction of the cycling velodrome, aquatic centre and tennis centre points to some interesting findings.
According to Simon Morton of UK Sport, the justification for hosting the London 2012 Summer Olympics was a clearly defined and workable strategic plan aimed at returns on investment.
His presentation was entitled, "Hosting Major Sporting Events for Major Sporting Benefits." He indicated that UK Sport became operational in the 1997 after miserable performances by Great Britain in the Atlanta 1996 Olympics where they placed 37th on the medals table. Although UK Sport is responsible to government it is not a department of government. In other words, UK Sport is free from government interference and therefore operate first and foremost like a business with clear targets and strategic plans.
Strategically UK Sport was charged with the responsibility of developing a 10-year plan and working with national sporting associations. The focus is on High Performance Sport and hosting Major Events.
For UK Sport, funding from the government is viewed not as a grant but as an investment that will yield returns in many quarters–medals, infrastructure development, economic improvements of local communities, tourism and marketability of the city and country to the world.
Morton indicated that UK Sport is very strategic when it comes to selecting events to hosts. He indicated that there a number of events from which to choose from:
�2 Short form Games: 3 on 3 basketball, T20 cricket, beach volleyball
�2 Extreme Sports: extreme biking, free running, skate boarding etc
�2 Masters Events
�2 Youth: Youth Olympics
�2 Women Sports
�2 Disability games
Selection of any of these events must be based on knowledge and a return on investment. He warned that although an event may be attractive, it is only after careful cost benefit analysis is a decision made as to proposing bids to host events.
The investment and scorecard principles are used to guide the decision making process. In terms of investment the following were identified as critical:
�2 How will the International events impact on the host status?
�2 Prioritise where the return on investments will be the highest
�2 Identify the long-term investment to host major events
�2 Ensure that there is a robust business plan and budget
The sporting benefits in terms of performance investment was built upon:
�2 Medal returns (65 in 2012 which was above the target of 48 set by UK Sport)
�2 Talent outline: identification of the country's talent
The aforementioned points provide a broad framework for all stakeholders who are responsible for identifying and managing international sporting events in T&T. A clear vision has to be identified and it must be incorporated in the overall development plan for sport.
We have to start walking the talk in a strategic manner to reap desired rewards!