A significant problem hampering T&T is our reluctance to adhere to the discipline of policy and strategy formulation, implementation and evaluation. Back in 2007, this shortcoming presented itself in a clear and unambiguous manner during a post graduate research project I was doing on governance in T&T sport.
At that time, the literature review looked at governance theories and also concepts such as democracy. One conclusion was that an under appreciation of strategy and policy formulation impacted the decision making process in T&T sport.
From the perspective of sport, if we take a look at the upcoming general election, what is the policy position of both parties on sport? Why do we play sport? How can we best spend the tax money we allocate to sport? How do we fund sport? The upcoming election has been about personality as much as policy. The ground for debate has been questions of trust and competence in many areas with ideological differences on some issues. However, policy and strategy statements allow for sensible and informed decision making. Are Olympic medals and world titles the only measure of sporting success? Or is fostering a healthier society equally as important as support for community and youth sports with the specific aim of increasing and maintaining participation levels?
Should overall funding for sport be maintained and increased? Should funding be spent in accordance with an agreed national policy vision and framework and changing demographics? Is transparency, accountability and equity non negotiable policy considerations? With the appropriate checks and balances in place, construction to provide multi-purpose sports facilities and repairs to existing facilities are as much a priority as hospitals, police stations and schools. There ought to be a commitment to ensuring that physical education is a mandatory activity in every school in the country. In the absence of policy statements and commitments the danger is always that promises will not be kept.
Democracy can be ambiguous and illusory. Aristotle once said that man is by nature a political animal and criticised democracy as a poor form of government. Socrates was executed by a democracy. In those days teachers of rhetoric saw their job as developing the oratorical and argumentative skills needed for participation in democratic politics. Socrates disagreed. He opposed the emphasis on technical skills and argumentative success; he saw thinking as being about the discovery of the truth. They both appeared to argue (1) that democracy, does not guarantee sensible decisions as the public exaggerate their praise for what they think is good and their condemnation of what they see as bad and (2) democracy creates leaders who see their most important skill as knowing how to influence the public.
Democracy, it would appear, cannot work unless citizens are informed in their voting. Voters' choices about what is right for them as individuals do not necessarily add up to what is best for the community as self-interest can intervene. Just because everyone is in favour of something doesn't make it right. Here in T&T many seats are so safe that the votes of most electors can never determine the outcome of who governs. Change is made by a few thousand voters in marginal seats. How then do you best articulate the voice of the people? How do you ensure that the common interest is considered? How do you ensure that sport is given its due? My answer would be it cannot be by focusing on personalities and kang-ka-lang. Good governance and policy must be important yardsticks.
In closing just a quick word to confirm that the T&TOC Sport Administration Workshop will run from today until June 3. The T&TOC is adopting a new approach to its education and information mandate and I am sure sport stakeholders will be happy and excited by the new topics added to the workshop. Editor's Note: Brian Lewis is the Honorary Secretary General of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (T&TOC). The views expressed are not necessarily that of the T&TOC.