Bunji Garlin in his vastly popular Soca masterclass "Carry it" again sends a signal to the people of T&T.
“I come from when ground used to carry it
We used to carry it
When the ground used to carry it
We used to carry it
When the ground used to carry it
We used to carry it
When the ground used to carry it
We used to carry it.”
And while I am uncertain and it can be questioned whether he is primarily or solely speaking from a sports perspective, having ten years ago, commentated a fun charity football match, where his wife Faye Ann Lyons showed she could hold her own on a football field, I know both have sports in their hearts and probably being close to Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo has intensified such love and awareness.
In his tune, he speaks on the lessons of history and the magic of the people who carried it from ground level and, importantly, at times against the odds, not only made it work but succeeded.
“Yes, I can hear them saying, boy stop living in the past,
Where can I find that energy, the raw raw magic that comes down from the grass-roots”.
So, I would like to beg their collective indulgence and use the words from “carry it “, to give hope to many in sports who find both administrators and officials standing in their way of progress and at times even some of their counterparts.
With that in mind, can we find a way to encourage our young and upcoming sportsmen and sportswomen to “carry it” and find the resolve and temperament to grow in their respective sports?
Perhaps, our history as Bunji Garlin classically tells us, can be interpreted to tell us of some who have risen from the ashes (a Lenten retreat can work wonders on your soul) and soared to great heights.
For me, names such as Hasely Crawford, Brian Charles Lara, Larry Gomes, Ato Boldon, Shaka Hislop and Dwight Yorke can be significant leaders who have retired after loads of success and whose lifelong stories should act as motivation to many.
We as people who care about sports in these times where there are so much temptations and distractions, may need to help several of our up-and-coming youngsters see their way and who knows maybe “carry it “, yes carry the load for them, when it did not matter who we are or where we came from, as Garlin so explicitly told us all.
“Downtown fete was a safe space
30,000 people of different background
Converge on PSA grounds
Shaking like a earthquake
But everyone was fine.”
I can think of examples of such in cricket, football, hockey and swimming in particular, where we have all witnessed the leadership qualities of many of our ex-players and some of those who are close to retirement as they set targets with or without the administration, by taking everything on their shoulders and attempting to clear a pathway. Other sports like netball, basketball, tennis, horse racing and boxing have the potential to improve if they can get the correct support in and around their main players.
There are, however, both good and bad in that, because sometimes those that follow do not want to carry any load and fail to fulfil their promise because perhaps it was all too easy (main example, many of the persons who easily earn a West Indies Test cap with few centuries or wickets to their names). Some believe there are great benefits to toiling in the vineyards, but I believe in these modern times there must be some middle ground (however, never to compromise the integrity of the sport) but enough to keep our youths focussed on the right path.
Some may correctly draw reference to the infighting that exists even in the Calypso/Soca industry, as yet further evidence of selfish actions by some, but even then, we must fight it and carry on the battle cry from Bunji Garlin (a man of the people).
There is a need to look deeper into this thought-provoking and inspirational "Carry It", similar to Helon Francis’ "Mighty" from 2023, which has become a landmark song for the people of T&T, despite what results in competition, may lead us to believe.
So we need to find a way to ask many of those in sports in T&T to listen carefully to "Carry It", over and over until they understand the full power of this song, I leave you with some ways of drawing on the unity of sports and culture, seldom appreciated by many in authority.
“Downtown fete was the vibes when
West people leave from, link John John and Beetham
To head to the playground
And who they link inside,
Arima and Central, Tobago and Southside
Chorus:
“I come from when ground used to carry it
We used to carry it
When the ground used to carry it
We used to carry it
When the ground used to carry it
We used to carry it
When the ground used to carry it
We used to carry it.”