Our sportsmen and women deserve better

by Michael Bascombe

It was a disappointing start to a journey – exiting the first round of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup Tournament but not the end of the road for football in Grenada.

The national team’s baptism in this confederation championship came with a heavy toll – conceding 10 goals in three games.

Grenada were the smallest team ever to qualify for the Gold Cup. They did well to get here, so with luck they won’t go home too disappointed despite the lack of points and no goals scored.

For those who have followed the current form of the Gold Cup would recalled that Canada’s baptism in 1993 was a 8-0 drubbing from Mexico among other shut outs that saw them exiting after the first round. Cuba got seven from Costa Rica in 1998, Jamaica received five from Honduras in 1991 and suffered heavy losses in that first round. Martinique took 9-0 from Mexico in their first appearance while SVG also suffered 5-0 defeat to Mexico in their only appearance in 1996.

Coach Tommy Taylor and his coaching staff – Kellon Baptiste, Andrew Munro, Kerlon Peters and Jerry Alexis must be commended for their professional approach in leading one of the youngest teams in the tournament.

The performance against Honduras was a better effort than previous engagements with the United States and Haiti.

It’s now up to the Grenada Football Association to move forward on its programme, involving coach Taylor and the cadre of coaches who are committed to the development of football on the island.

We can’t expect to create excitement only when our teams or individuals win a tournament or a medal. There are too many “Monday Morning Quarterbacks” who don’t understand that in sports all participants are winners.

Our appreciation to national sportsmen and women are bordering on hypocrisy and only when there is something to cheer about.

The Olympic Games in Beijing were only a year ago and our track and field athletes gave a commendable performance but we don’t hear about them even though there are those who are still competing on the professional circuit – Neisha Bernard-Thomas, Randy Lewis and Patricia Sylvester are among those in competition almost weekly.

Only last month the NCAA Track and Field season completed and we had a couple of athletes competing in final events.

Alleyne Francique, in only his first season as a coach with Texas A&M, won the women’s NCAA title. Where is the congratulatory message to him?

Only last year we were crazy over Lewis Hamilton. Strangely, he is still racing but not doing too well so all the excitement has ended. Where is the encouragement to him?

Our National Under-23 netballers returned home about a week ago after failing to retain their title at the OECS Championship. Where is the congratulatory message to them?

Our national footballers reached the final of the Caribbean Cup in Jamaica last December and there was a government representative sitting in the Kingston Stadium, followed by tons of congratulations.

However, the footballers and officials turned “villains” overnight as they struggled to get a sub-standard field to play an international friendly; they had to dig into their pockets to pay departure taxes to represent the country at the most coveted tournament in the confederation.

Ironically, the same facility which was unavailable to the footballers to play Panama about three weeks ago was used a few days ago for a gospel concert.

At least the State could show some form of appreciation.

We can’t allow petty and personal differences to hinder our progress.

Congratulations to Kirani James, Nichkelia John and coach Albert Joseph on a job well done in Italy. There are those who have followed your exploits from start to finish and appreciate your achievements.

I expect everyone to enjoy the “Kirani-ism” for this week. Probably, welcome home ceremonies, motorcades, etc. But what happens after the dust is settled?

We must ensure that when our national sportsmen and women are leaving the shores to represent our island that they get a proper send-off and encouragement. We must rally behind them in victory or defeat.

They are amateurs sometimes competing against professionals, and their efforts must be commended.

I would want to agree with one of my colleagues who has suggested that we embark on a National Appreciation Day for our sportsmen and women. Probably something the authorities may want to consider while they shuffle on the National Sports Policy.