It’s important in life to not have regrets. Whatever you are doing or choose to do must have a compelling sense of purpose and commitment. Nothing worthwhile has ever been achieved without a high risk propensity. The fear of failure has been an insurmountable mountain for many people. No one wants to look like an utter fool or idiot.
There are no guarantees. No one can say with absolute certainty that they will achieve their stated or declared goals or objectives.
I was telling someone a few days ago that I have one mission which is to improve conditions for athletes, sportsmen and women in T&T and to do so with integrity and ethically.
I am clear in my mind that by focusing on our athletes, sportsmen and women, sport will make significant and sustainable progress.
But in doing so and in striving to achieve that mission, there are critical success factors.
Not everyone will agree with me and not everyone will see things the way I see it and that’s just fine as I respect everyone’s right to their opinion and views and to disagree with me
But having experienced first hand and intimately the highs and lows of a sporting life in T&T, I feel confident that serving our athletes, sportsmen and women and striving to create the enabling environment that will allow them to execute on their critical success factors is the right thing to do.
Should the focus be on the athletes, sportsmen and women to such an extent that other stakeholder’s interest and needs are sidelined?
That’s not what I am saying or seeking to do. What I am saying is that it’s the athletes who have to perform and by their success there is a ripple effect that will redound to the benefit of sport in general and the country by extension.
I have no problem explaining why I am focused on athletes but there are people in decision making and policy making positions who prefer to speculate and naysay without asking me why?
I am a phone call away and will be more than happy to have a cordial discussion.
Mine is a simple perspective: fix things for the athletes, sportsmen and women especially those who have the potential to be successful at the elite and Olympic level.
The history of our sport has been one where sportsmen and women have carried the burden of sporting success no matter how that success is measured.
T&T has benefitted in more ways than one from the success of our dedicated sportsmen and women.
For how long will the cries of our sportsmen and women go unheeded and ignored?
Those who choose to ignore the reality on the ground can feel free to do so. I have no intention of turning away from what I know from firsthand experience to be the real story.
In an effort to raise public awareness and kick start fund raising, I am participating in the Trinidad International Marathon.
I am as determined to finish the 26 mile journey as I am confident that setting a target of 10 or more Olympic gold medals by the year 2024 is the right objective as is establishing a dedicated T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund that is independent and non-governmental.
The #10golds24 Athlete Welfare and Preparation fund enables the public, former national sportsmen and women, fans and supporters of sport and corporate T&T to contribute and financially support athletes who aspire to qualify for the Olympics and be an Olympic champion.
We all have choices in life but whatever choice you make remember action speaks louder than words.