Important Responsibilities Facing Director Of Sports, pt. 2

Mon, Sep 3rd 2012, 10:10 AM

The by-word in the new sports culture that the minister of sports wishes for all partners to latch on to, is cooperation. As a special guest on a recent radio show (Guardian 96.9 FM Morning Blend with Dwight Strachan), Minister Dr. Daniel Johnson informed that for him, cooperation is the key to the full realization of the vast sporting potential in the country. In the new sports culture there ought to be cooperation across the board. Director of Sports Tim Munnings is really in the hot seat.

His full plate includes being capable of monitoring the various federations, boards, commissions and associations that are funded to any degree by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to ensure that the funding is well-placed. The view here is that when situations are unsettled, the national sports development process is stifled, in the particular instances of the respective entities, but also generally as far as the overall picture is concerned. I give the director of sports an example today. The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) is regarded as one of the core sports groups.

As such, the BLTA is in the upper category of grants provided by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. The view here is that no grant ought to be given when there is fierce infighting in any sports organization. Is the director of sports aware that there is a great uproar in the BLTA presently? Does the minister of sports know this? Is the funding advanced to the BLTA being used wisely at the present?

This is the area in which the director of sports really earns his salary. There are many ceremonial matters for him to attend to, but monitoring the sporting terrain is of the utmost importance so that the minister of sports can always have a good sense of awareness of what's happening. I have been informed that some elected members of the BLTA have been ostracized. They have reportedly been excluded from meetings, communications and to some extent victimized.

Included are noted names who have made valuable contributions to the development of tennis over the years. Yes, there is a big fight going on in the BLTA. The body is autonomous and independent in its day-to-day operation of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the rest of the government agencies. However, because it seeks funds from time to time and indeed receives grants, this is an area that should be explored by the director of sports.

This sports industry business is serious for the country. No longer will it be just fine to simply go through the motions. This is no direct reference to Munnings. However, I use his position to emphasize that he has a responsibility to give an all-out-effort to ensure the kind of cooperation and togetherness that the minister desires for the new sports culture. o To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com.

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