Latest update April 17th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 18, 2011 Sports
By Michael Benjamin
The precedent set by the electorate of local sports associations of installing politicians and high ranking officials of civil organizations into executive positions has received more than its fair share of criticisms yet this ploy seems to override all other strategies. Such strategies have marked the abandonment of commonsensical, for practical approaches that once dictated that the best man, irrespective of his societal status, gets the job.
Over the years, there has been a shift from this criterion and many of the top brasses of the respective sports entities have been installed because of their clout in society which equates to financial and other viable support for the entities that they head.
While such ploys have proven to be advantageous to the upward thrust of the Associations/Federations in question, there have been numerous unpalatable ‘square pegs in round holes’ scenarios where, despite possessing immense clout in the procurement of funding and other such support to address the programmes and objectives of the organizations they head, some of these officials are devoid of the requisite knowledge and tact to propel the sport into the international arena thus creating the ‘vicious circle’ situation.
If one should conduct a random survey he/she will discover that the needs of any of these sports entities are astronomical and oft times dictate that the respective executives implement shrewd strategies to provide the best alternatives for their charges even when strapped with shoestring budgets.
While mandating members to form committees to examine and resolve issues, the respective heads are fully aware that board room meetings and/or discussions may present solutions but it is the implementation of strategies that is of greatest significance.
Every athlete with a modicum of pride and ambition will nurture ambitions of advancement and naturally will expect those in charge to come up with initiatives to support these ambitions. Every person may feel that they have all the credentials for selection to developmental training initiatives, whether local or international and attendance at international outings among others. Notwithstanding this, the respective Presidents, notwithstanding their veto powers, are guided by decisions arrived at by the various sub-committees in making their final decisions. This is true democracy in action.
Naturally, all decisions may not receive general approval but of importance is that the implemented process is all encompassing and the process is fair and all inclusive.
Many sportspersons are simply grumpy and have little respect for protocol as I have discovered throughout my journalistic tenure. Complaints range from the modus operandi of selection policies to unavailability of sufficient to realize personal goals.
Amidst the many disillusioned ramblings, the statutes of the World Governing Football organization (FIFA) have come under heavy criticism and scrutiny with a plethora of footballers and club representatives denouncing the modus operandi of this entity.
It is now common knowledge that FIFA has implemented standard procedures to address disputes, through a channel of command that commences at the level of the local General
Council and if dissatisfied, the Caribbean Football Union and further, if yet dissatisfied, the disgruntled party/ies may file a complaint to CONCACAF and ultimately, FIFA.
High handed approaches are frowned upon the intervention of governments and/or legal proceedings to address in-house matters. Though this statute has been the cause for contention, FIFA remains resolute.
The Gerald Laurie/Oliver Hinckson brouhaha a few years ago where both affiliates were declared persona non grata by FIFA after they had approached the local courts to address an internal dispute with then incumbent President, Colin Klass, had backfired and both gentlemen were declared persona not grata.
Such ruling may not find favour with all affiliates but it certainly outlines a proper and systematic approach to the dirty public exhortations that could unfold.
It is time that the executives of other sports disciplines adopt a similar code of conduct to maintain good relations and some amount of integrity in the addressing their mandates. Such implementations become even more necessary when one peruses a recent article appearing in another section of the media where GABA officials failed to provide meals on time for a team of boxers that travelled from Berbice to engage in the current Intermediate boxing championships.
To my mind, this matter should have been dealt with internally. As far as this writer knows, this is not the first time something of this nature occurred and it may very well occur again.
The issue, to my mind, is not what happened but how the situation has been addressed.
That the problem should reach the local news, emblazoned on the back page of another news organ, points to dissatisfaction on what end of the continuum to downright indiscipline and callous behavior on the other.
Boxing has been subjected to more than its fair share of adverse publicity with most of the good, wholesome issues being suffocated in the gyms.
Most of the administrators of the Berbice gyms are fully cognizant of the challenges of securing adequate sponsorship.
They have hosted Georgetown based boxers with similar challenges. While one could understand the concerns and disgust demonstrated by the Berbice entourage over what they termed shabby treatment, one must also appreciate the efforts of GABA executives to have these boxers involved in the action despite their far flung locations.
One must also weigh the situation while taking into consideration the challenges of mobilizing and coordinating events with affiliates residing a great distance outside of Georgetown.
The offending press release presents an ‘all’s well that ends well’ scenario which strengthens the point that other avenues could have been ventilated to arrive at amicable conclusions.
It was similar dissensions and disgruntlement that forced the executive of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) to convene a meeting among several disgruntled affiliates to ventilate the possibility of an amicable conclusion.
Such ploys bore fruit and serious confrontation, name calling and character assassination were avoided. The affiliates of the GABA should take a page from the books of the GCF and refrain from dealing with in house matters in the outhouse.
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