Last week's column addressed the need for strategic planning for the successful hosting of major sporting events. The reference to UK Sports strategy for hosting the 2012 London Olympics emphasised the importance of Investment and Scorecard Principles to measure impact in terms of legacy, performance, engagement and economic. To ensure that the UK continues to build on the successes of the London 2012, UK Sport has outlined a new strategic plan (October 4) to host a number of events over the next two decades.
A list of events that have either been secured or has the opportunity for future hosting has been identified. Between 2019 and 2022, 29 events have been secured. Some of these include:
*ICC Cricket World Cup 2019
*World Road Cycling Championships 2019
*Netball World Cup 2019
*EURO 2020
*Gymnastic World Cup 2020
*Rugby League World Cup 2021
*Commonwealth Games 2022
The FIFA World Cup 2030, a headliner in the list of 44 events that will provide an opportunity for future hosting rights.
The UK Sport's programme is ably supported by the National Lottery system which provides financial leverage in the planning process for hosting bids. The strategic approach to hosting events also ensures that the UK is promoted as a 'welcoming, active and global nation.' Hosting the events has the 'potential to generate almost £12 billion in economic impact (direct and indirect) and attract over 15 billion spectators.'
Turning to T&T, the questions are simple:
*Is SPORTT/ The Sports Commission of T&T (The SCOTT) involved in strategic planning of hosting sporting events as UK Sport?
*Is the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs (MSYA) involved in the strategic planning of hosting sports events?
*Is the National Lotteries system being utilised efficiently to support the funding of hosting sporting events and programmes?
*Are National Governing Bodies (NGBs) part of any strategic plan involving the MSYA and the SPORTT/The SCOTT for hosting sports events?
The answers to the aforementioned questions will provide a status position as it relates to a strategic approach to planning for hosting sports events. It will also provide a basis to understand where there were strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT and Pestle analysis). As such it will provide an opportunity for candid discussion guided by common objectives of ensuring the realisation of significant returns- performance, economic, legacy and engagement.
At the end of the day, if strategic planning for sports events is done in a holistic manner, then the powers will be in a position to state unequivocally the quantitative benefits as opposed to common subjective narratives of being 'beneficial' without reference to any sound data. Strategic planning an important tool that can position T&T like UK Sport to project returns on investments. It will also provide athletes, the business community and the general population an opportunity to know what plans are afoot as well as position themselves to participate directly and indirectly.
"I don't feel it is necessary to know exactly what I am. The main interest in life and work is to become someone else that you were not in the beginning." Michel Foucault
Dr. Anand Rampersad - PhD
Pastiche6@gmail.com