Beckford says, "With all the focus being placed on the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, T20I World Cup Cricket, World Cup Football men and women, plus all other international competitions, the region has to be placed in a better position to win on and off the field." She also believes that a comprehensive plan with specific eligibility criteria can be developed to identify where the allocation goes and how much is allocated.
The Fund aims to focus on
- Technical
- Infrastructure
- Marketing and
Business Development
- Research and
Development
The funds are to be distributed based on criteria designed to enhance the four areas listed above.
Technical - There are several categories of athletes preparing for numerous regional and international games/championships over the next ten years, who would require access to the most durable equipment. There could be a first-time allotment of funds to import the listed and approved equipment. The applicable duty waivers could be applied as incentives. This could be for five years initially.
Infrastructure - All regions have facilities to host major events, and most need upgrades. The awards could be granted based on which country has commitments to host any regional and/or international events over the next ten years. The allocations would be based on detailed plans for upcoming events.
Marketing and Business Development - The athletes have largely done well on the field of play, but their post-life plans could be enhanced by opportunities in the marketplace and ongoing awareness of how to plan for life changes. The allocations here would be based on the business plans and their forecast.
Research and Development - The suggestion that talent alone is enough does not hold; therefore, there are reasons why athletes continue to perform. However, with all the environmental and related issues, times are changing and could impact how sports are managed, governed, and even hosted. Funds here would focus on discussions on how the Caribbean can manage its resources more efficiently.
The recommendation is for a Team with expertise in:
- Commercial
Planning
- Marketing
- Finance and
Planning
- Governance
- Academic
Development
Globally, the sports industry is estimated to be worth at least a billion dollars, and there is more to access, but athletes need to be better prepared.
The Caribbean, as a region, is a sporting destination, but there is
always an opportunity to capture a bigger part of that global market with more
intentional planning among the nations in the region.
