Our Athletes Deserve More Than Lip Service

A piece by Silvanius,Fontenard on his facebook page, deserves a comment from "Choiseul on the Move". Every medal‑winning smile you see on the podium hides months—often years—of quiet sacrifice by families who shoulder training fees, airfare, lodging, and specialist coaching. Jady’s father footing the full bill for his daughter’s attachment in Jamaica is just the latest proof that too many of our champions-in‑waiting are bank‑rolled by personal savings, bake‑sales, and community raffles—not by the ministries that claim the glory after a win.

Where Was the Support for CARIFTA?

We sent a lean squad to Trinidad this year, and yes, they shone—but imagine the medal tally if our best prospects abroad had been flown in. The airline ticket that might have put another flag‑draped teenager on the podium costs less than one minister’s per‑diem on an overseas “fact‑finding” trip. Priorities matter, and this one was missed by a mile.

Taxpayers Pay—Ministers Take the Bow

Let’s be clear: every cleat, shot‑put, or physiotherapy session funded by government comes from the public purse. It’s our money. So when officials boast, they’re essentially applauding themselves for spending what we contributed. Real leadership means building transparent systems where athletes can apply for clearly advertised grants, travel stipends, and medical coverage—no insider phone calls or political “blessings” required.

Cut the Leakage, Fund the Future

The Auditor General’s reports read like a sieve—projects over‑invoiced, contracts mysteriously split, and basic procurement rules twisted into knots. Plug just 10 percent of that leakage and we could bankroll:

• A National Youth Service offering coaching apprenticeships, sports‑science internships, and community outreach stipends.
• A Travel & Training Fund that automatically subsidises regional meets and overseas attachments once an athlete hits qualifying standards.
• Community sports hubs—multi‑use courts, strength rooms, and rehab clinics—staffed by graduates of the Youth Service.

Walking the Talk

Until those safeguards are in place, every congratulatory photo‑op feels hollow. Let’s challenge our leaders to publish a quarterly breakdown of sports expenditures: who got what, when, and why. Sunshine is free—so let it shine on the numbers.

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Bottom line: we’re not begging; we’re demanding equity. If Government truly champions youth and sport, let the budgets, boarding passes, and bursaries prove it—because talent alone can’t buy a plane ticket, and passion doesn’t pay hotel bills.