The disturbing mix of politics and sports
I AM not a supporter of the integration of politics and sports. In the Jamaican context, this merger has been increasing over time to the extent that these days there is hardly an event that one does not see a politician ‘putting in an appearance’.
Going back to the days when Donald Quarrie and Merlene Ottey struggled to put Jamaica on the world athletics map, despite their pleas for help, they basically had to fend for themselves. Yet they managed to set a foundation for the others to follow. They didn’t do this by having the support of politicians, notwithstanding the high levels of lip service in those days.
For those of us fortunate enough to be around then, the sight of an athlete running on a school track or the chevron track of the National Stadium, barefooted, was not unusual. Some went on to be famous and more than likely owned their first pair of spikes upon recognition by a foreign concern, displaying an interest in their long-term future and the future of the sport. The politician then merely accepted the praises on behalf of the nation when an athlete excelled on the world stage. They were not involved in getting them there. It’s not any different in most countries on earth.
GOOD TRAINING FACILITIES
As athletics evolved i nto a truly global sport, politicians seem to have entrenched themselves in the decisionmaking processes of the governing bodies. Very few, if any, can be seen encouraging athletes, moving to provide good training facilities, putting supporting measures in place to ensure the best possible psychological and educational development.
On the contrary, they are very much present to meet and greet on arrival at the airport, once an individual or team has managed to keep our flag flying high at an international event. They are the de facto PR directors of sports governing bodies such as the Jamaica Olympic Association, and the clubs to which the athletes belong. If you don’t do well, they do not know you!
Please don’t get me wrong, politicians do have a place in the sporting arena. I suggest that it ought not to be as overbearing and one-sided as it is right now. Governments have a responsibility to support sports, especially those played at the international level. The assistance and recognition should be more balanced in its execution and not come across as political gerrymandering, posturing, or campaigning for votes. The support for sports must today be the subject of a national/international support policy transcending the political divide. This will see to the proper development of the nation’s potential and not give the appearance of being utilised as a political tool.
TOOL FOR POLITICAL ADVANCEMENT
The world has lost its sense of objectivity in sportsmanship when nations now use sports as a tool for political advancement. Russian athletes, for example, must suffer because of the actions of their political masters. Although allowed to compete in international events, they do not represent their country. They are denied this right, and the world is denied the right to see the best of people in competition, all because politics has become too far entrenched in sports.
The trickle-down effect is even far more devastating. In recent times Ukrainian athletes have refused to extend the normal cordialities to their Russian opponents, in my mind bringing the tennis competitions into disrepute. As a Ukrainian you ought to be mature enough to understand that on the court you are ‘waging war’, competitively against your opponent; it has nothing to do with what your political masters have decided. Your actions serve only to tighten the grip the politician has on sports, for their own designs. If it is that you have become so politicised that you cannot shake hands and exchange pleasantries at the end of a match, then stay home. Do not compete because in my mind you are a part of the problem and not the solution.
So, this disturbing state of affairs has its genesis at home. If it is to be corrected, the process must start, there. Politicians, national associations, clubs, sponsors all have a part in educating our athletes on what is required of them and how, therefore, they are expected to conduct themselves. Governments must fund sports on a bipartisan basis. The achievements of our teams are not political achievements, but national achievements meant to help build our nation. Athletes are not tools to be used to satisfy international political whims and fancies and they must not allow themselves to be used by anyone. As small as we are, Jamaica can teach the world how to behave as civilised people in the sports arena.
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