Michael Maynard – Sports Columnist
The London Olympic Games was the stand out sporting occasion of 2012 and at first glance the CARICOM countries did very well.
However, closer scrutiny of the results show areas of great concern for the future of sports in the region.
Caribbean success was limited to track and field and medals were won by only four countries, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas and Grenada. The other countries ‘happily took part’ in the world’s most prestigious sporting competition.
This is not to deny the irresistible Usain Bolt or Grenada’s, Kirani James’ superlative efforts or the other athletes who made up the region’s record 19 medals at London. But where are the Caribbean swimmers, gymnasts, cyclists, basketball players etc? Athletic talent across all disciplines must be given the opportunity to prosper.
That is why the Caribbean needs an international sports academy. A place where elite pubescent talent from the region can get access to the best training, medical back up and high tech facilities for them to develop into the world beaters of tomorrow.
Only then will we see a better representation of Caribbean achievement across a broader range of sports. Leaving these athletes and their sports to develop as if by accident is not a credible option.
For too long the region has relied on the innate abilities of its sports people, believing that they will always “emerge” to take on and beat the world.
Comfortable with that knowledge governments and the private sector have sat back and waited for the next natural talent to evolve – and in track and field to a certain extent these stars have emerged, particularly in Jamaica.
But talent – even in track and field – is a finite and ephemeral commodity which on its own doesn’t guarantee success. Talent needs to be nurtured, harnessed and moulded by top quality coaching in first class facilities.
The West Indies cricket team stands as a reminder of what happens if athletic development is just left to “emerge.” When the likes of Richards, Greenidge and Holding were blasting all asunder the cricket authorities sat back and didn’t invest in the future, believing such fortunes would always be there to be exploited. However, the last decade or so has proved how myopic such visions were.
The international sports academy should be funded by all members of CARICOM as one single country cannot finance it alone. It should be the focal point for not only track and field but all sport in the region.
Housed in one central location this centre of excellence would invite all the best junior talent in the region. It should be staffed by first class coaches from around the world and provided with facilities worthy of its high status.
It should also incorporate an educational programme to equip athletes with the knowledge and academic credentials needed before, during and after their careers.
In these harsh economic times can the Caribbean region afford to be spending money on sport development? My answer is that the region would reap the benefit from any financial seeds planted.
The success of the Jamaican track standouts reverberates around the world not only making universal stars out of the likes of Usain Bolt, but also bringing prestige to the island which can be converted into hard currency through the tourist industry.
Gordon Greenidge. Photo courtesy telegraph.co.uk
As a Grenada government minister aptly opined: “Kirani James has put Grenada on the map.”
Ironically, it’s to cricket where the region should look to for a blueprint to its sporting future. After years of soul searching the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) finally set up the High Performance Centre at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus in Barbados.
The two year old centre, which is also supported by the private sector, provides a home where the elite young cricketers from the region can learn their trade under expert guidance in top class facilities.
Interestingly, the Cave Hill campus has also invested in facilities for football, track and field and hockey. They also have plans in place to boost resources for basketball, tennis, netball and volleyball.
This seems an ideal location for a Caribbean wide sports academy, bringing all the region’s athletic talent together under one roof. If successful then the Caribbean will, for the first time, be celebrating sporting success across a greater range of sports.
