Something needs to be done about sport

THE EDITOR: Well, Paris Olympics 2024 have come and gone. Congrats to the winners and commiserations to the non-medal winners. My country came close, but we have no extra luggage to bring home.

Former TT Olympic Committee president Brian Lewis dared to dream. Many of us thought it was a stretch but hoped for some miracle. We failed him badly.

As a former chairman of the First Citizens Sports Foundation, and one who was privileged to attend university on a track scholarship, I am pained to watch our decline – not because of lack of talent, but more so because of the “authorities” not changing the way things have been done for the past decades and being open to new ideas.

Ato Boldon's lament, which has been ongoing for decades, goes unheeded. His recent interviews and addresses highlight the lack of input, thought and foresight. (And his database is essentially without limits.)

The national governing bodies must reorganise their thinking and must focus on youth development and sustainable nurturing. The Government, corporate TT and individuals must come up with concrete plans for our future to be brighter. The information and structures do not have to be created. We must tailor that which already exists to suit our culture and mentality. Incentives should be concrete and sustainable.

Much has and will be written and spoken on this Olympiad. Two articles that have stood out for me are by Prof Ramesh Deosaran and Howard Dottin – both provided different perspectives and food for thought.

Something has to be done, and
now.

DR KEITH CLIFFORD

Woodbrook