George Bernard Shaw is famously recorded as having said, “the single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” Never has this quote rung truer than in the realisation that the archiving of sports in this country, is likely to follow in the same footsteps as the Brian Lara Stadium—done, gone but not forgotten. What a pity!
It will be there for all to see at www.sportarchivestt.com, but like the Tarouba facility, will remain an eyesore, simply because nobody takes sport seriously in this country.
Two days after he assumed office, Minister of Sport, Darryl Smith, walked into the studio at i95, and spoke proudly of legacies. He went so far as to point out that the Prime Minister was a keen sports fan. Legacies, he boasted were important to him and gave a commitment that the archives would not be allowed to go to waste.
As I watched the First Citizens Foundation demonstrate leadership with their Hall of Fame inductions, I felt sad to know that the archives are slowly becoming dated.
I have received numerous calls as to why the site has been left idle and today I appeal to the Minister to at least keep the file current. Following are some excerpts from an article that was written earlier this year when the Minister assumed office.
Three months later....you be the judge!
“For too long, sport in this country has been neglected. People have trampled on sport, as if it was an afterthought, without due care and consideration. For too long, we have all stood back and allowed this to happen, because we too, were preoccupied.
With the National Budget due to be read on October 5, there is a lot of expectation that sport could finally get its just reward, and if early indicators can be followed, the current sport minister Darryl Smith appears intent on listening first, and speaking after.
Recently on Isports, Smith expressed interest in establishing closer communications with the athletes of this country, and ensuring that they remained in focus. It is a laudable expression and acknowledgement of a starting point for improving sport. But alas, it is easy to talk in the early days.
It is interesting that all of the guests on i95.5fm on Saturday also believed that sport has a lot of work to do to convince the “elite” in this country of its significance and importance.
Investigative journalist Lasana Liburd stated that sport always seemed to be the outside child.
Guardian sports editor, Valentino Singh, was emphatic in his condemnation saying that people do not seem to realise that sport was the greatest unifier in the country.
Respected media personality, Anthony Harford, was also clear: “We always tend to get some lightweight in this role, lacking experience…”
These are all powerful words which express fully the state of mind of each of these sport oriented individuals. Taken collectively, they cast a dark shadow over the running of sport in the past, not only the last five years.
Minister Smith listened attentively and probably took mental notes but going forward, this country will expect more action and results from his ministry.
As was stated on the night, one prime example of the lack of care for sports was the state of the Sporting Archives, which was unceremoniously curtailed by a lack of funds and therefore a loss of resources, with researchers not being paid. This is an ongoing project, which is not only of benefit to youngsters, but all of T&T, as it seeks to tell by words, video, pictures and many other means, the history and achievements of our sporting heroes.
It is a travesty that this facility had to wait so many years to find a place in our history. But having received so much attention, we need to ensure that the legacy of our sporting population is not forgotten.
As a progressive country, how is it possible not to have relevant data on all who have represented T&T?
The world cares about Hasely Crawford, Brian Lara, Dwight Yorke, Ato Boldon, Keshorn Walcott, the 1979 Netball World Champions team led by Sherril Peters, George Bovell, Richard Thompson and the thousands of others who wore our national colours over the years. What a better reference point than the national archive. It is already a well researched and carefully put together facility and is crying out for attention, if only to maintain its currency.
So we await the first step by the new minister and should only judge him on his actions and most importantly, results. The sporting archive may be the spark he needs to ignite the sporting community.
The final word, however, should reside with the minister who, on the night, was quick to reveal that in Prime Minister Dr Keith Christopher Rowley, this country finally has a Prime Minister who cares about sports.
In time, we shall tell and see if this is true.
