What has become of the National Sports Awards?

Straight up, has the National Sports Council(NSC) done away with the National Sports Awards? Is it still relevant to the grander scheme of things? Has it been placed on the back burner? Or has the National Sports Council, reassessing, reorganizing and remodelling the event, that when it returns it shall hold centre place in the sporting landscape of St Vincent and the Grenadines?

Irrespective for the reasons for not hosting awards last year for the 2022 performances of our national sportsmen and sportswomen, associations, coaches, as well as sports journalists, the fact that no one is saying anything, is another confirmation of the scant respect that sports holds here in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

In fact, the last occasion of a National Sports Awards was in 2020 as the 2019 efforts were recognized and rewarded.

One would readily agree that it was not possible for any such undertakings in 2021 and 2022 because of the pandemic and the eruptions of La Soufriere, with the former having a serious obstruction of sports.

Whilst this column holds the firm view that all efforts should be made by the NSC to pay homage to our sporting treasures, many who are around sports have grown so accustomed to the many lulls in its staging that the event must have been erased from persons’ memory.

Critically though, it can be reasoned that the NSC and its attending agencies care little about sports in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

It can also be inferred that the event is too much of a financial burden on these agencies, therefore any alibi to simply not host, will be conveniently proffered.

But whilst the National Sports Council continues to renege on its mandate, some sporting associations remain steadfast in rewarding and recognizing their members.

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation(SVGFF) and the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association Inc. are consistently taking time out to fete their standouts, following the conclusions of their respective national competitions.

Beyond our shores, an annual National Sports Awards with the requisite financial recompense, holds pride of place in those country’s set up.

Are we less than our neighbours, or are we oblivious to the meaning of such event?

Unfortunately, history continues to repeat itself relative to the National Sports Awards.

From data, it reveals that the St Vincent Jaycees, when it was fully functional and was the go-to service club here in St Vincent and the Grenadines, were the pioneers of the National Sports Awards.

Their efforts though fell into abeyance, and in 1991, saw a revival of the event with the National Olympic Committee taking up the slack hence, rewarded the 1990 performances.

Thereafter, there were ceremonies in 1992, 1993, and 1994, but none in 1995. And, that has been the pattern since.

Set aside some institutional lapses inclusive of poor planning, a definite purpose of the event, tardiness on the part of some national sporting organisations, enough significance is not placed on the National Sports Awards.

It stands to reason that the infrequent and nonchalant response to the event becoming a fixture and anticipated occurrence on the sporting calendar of St Vincent and the Grenadines, may take a mountainous climb to become embedded in the psyche of our people.

Acknowledging and rewarding our sporting personalities should be paramount, as they, in their small way bring more glory and recognition to St Vincent and the Grenadines than the politicians who are revered.

In the interim, as those who follow Vincentian sports await the restart of the National Sports Awards Ceremony, national sporting associations, as a matter of course, should embark on having their internal awards system.

NSC, say something as you are mandated to honour and show appreciation to the achievements of our sporting stock, and please do so on an annual basis with much gusto and meaning.

If not, then the NSC should franchise out the event to a promotion company or private undertaking, to ensure relevance, quality and its consistent hosting.