Our litle T&T is fast becoming popular for a number of things. From sports to culture, from artistry to cheography, and most recently, the excitement of casting votes.It does not matter, so long as the voting process brings to us, the entertainment by contestants gathering for the purpose of stating their case, the crowds enjoy the atmosphere.I suppose that the size of the audiences indicates their love for the contribution of nominees, buttered by mudslinging and shares of goodies from jerseys to cell phones and with a few "blue-notes" to send you home laughing.Nevertheless, sport has joined the party and cricket holds the spotlight, not necessarily on the field but in the social networks, where canvassing has become the norm.The print and electronic media has started the big clash of power searching among those who are vying to reach the leadership table for the sport.Ironically, elections to choose leaders in sport while sharing similar principles, do not believe that a special brand of administration is needed to conduct the business affairs which guide the sport to ultimate success.
So far, a new set of challengers have thrown the gauntlet down for the current regime to pull out all the stops in order to regain the opportunity to demonstrate their leadership qualities.Interestingly enough, while it seems easy to assess the quality of work done over the past two years by the current executive, very little plans have been advertised by the contenders.
It would have been so healthy for the member clubs if they would come forward and seek methodical plans from each group, where they can define the entire package which will take cricket forward.Presently, the Champions League in India is exposing the T&T Red Force, which is what the present administration is projecting as ultimate success, is the carrot which will be swung in order to influence votes from the clubs.Like in our local politics, failure and any obvious deficiencies are placed under the table while the bright lights are projected in the media.The newcomers are silently using a different type of strategy where they will thrive upon their ability to influence club representatives as to why they should get their support to win the elections.
Up to the time of writing, I have not heard or read anything pertaining to the plans of either side, especially after experiencing the financial confusion which has occurred over the past few years.
I suppose that the pressure placed upon the government for complete funding of activities leading to some type of success at national level, will seal the deal for the team that has the greater influence, politically or otherwise.Sometimes I wonder if these clubs realise that the direction in which this great game will go, depends upon the "game plan" by the persons who are placed in office by their votes.Has anyone asked either of Asim Bassarath, the current president or the former president of WIPA (West Indies Players Association) Dinanath Ramnarine as to their plans to produce a better organised cricket future?Now that we all agree that sports such as football, cricket, track and field and even field hockey are business entities which require personnel that are qualified in the art of sports management, accountancy, community development, coaching and marketing, should the request for personnel and planned programmes not be demanded from those who need to hold those positions.
Party politics in sport has very little success, unless all the bases are covered and the clubs can see an improvement in development on their way forward.Honestly, it is equally as unfair to indulge in unnecessary criticism of the persons involved as opposed to make a close analysis of the ability to perform the duties which need to be addressed.That is why these days leading up to the elections (cricket), are so important, as it will determine whether or not the game will sit upon the stability which identifies good managerial policies.And what of the stakeholders of sport doing to assist this situation? I am certainly referring to the government as they are have given the responsibility to special NGO's (national government organisation), to deal with this aspect of sport.The T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) comes to mind, as they are the ones whose responsibility to guide the destiny of all sports, not to dictate to them, but to ensure that best practices will be placed before all clubs for the purpose of encouraging the democracy which is part of our constitution.
Why is it that the rush to challenge the cricket board's constitution at this time for interpretation of rules which have been on the document many moons ago, and placed there by persons who were legally and highly qualified to produce the guideline which seemed appropriate for the nation's cricket.My call to member clubs is to get involved in seeking the best for cricket before making choices of personnel.Every successful business has an adequate structural plan and cricket must be no different. The people's funding must be accounted for in every way and sport is no different.Stop "playing ball" with sport. Maybe one day our academic institutions will develop ways of bringing some expertise into every aspect of sports administration.Are they not the ones to educate the society in all aspects of life? Trust me! they have not touched the surface of helping the youth who may wish to know about the science of sport and no one seems to care.