Inspiring this generation of winners

He’s got a lot of talent. So, if he gets the right support, there’s nothing he can’t do.” “I want the authorities and the Government to understand,” Solomon continued, “that we put out our blood, sweat and tears for the country.

When they support, it’s not a waste of money.” This statement is one that characterises the burden of those whom we exalt in victory, and lambaste in defeat.

Athletes, or for that matter, anyone who has taken the step to choose to represent their country in whatever discipline, are driven and inspired to achieve for a greater good. This greater good does not reside in ‘things’, or ‘objects’ or platitudes. This greater good resides in a feeling that cannot be easily described, but that surely represents a form of inspiration. An inspired dream to do more and be more.

This motivated choice to represent your country comes with many unnecessary challenges, one of the foremost being the significant levels of an evaporation of inspiration by those who may never appreciate the significant amount of literal blood sweat and tears that goes into preparing oneself physically, psychologically and spiritually for the role as an Ambassador to your land.

We are yet to appreciate the value attached to the preparation required for the development of persons destined to adequately represent a nation in any discipline, and further, we seem also to have little idea on capitalising and building upon those that have surmounted and secured victory in which ever endeavour, despite all the hurdles, hurt, lack of adequate funding, and other areas of support. We must share a grander vision than fleeting accolades, which are as quickly forgotten.

The development of our human capital must become a priority if we are to even begin to look at a diversification and develop agenda for this Nation. It is completely unacceptable and indeed absurd, that our athletes are still clamouring for us to appreciate that performing on a global stage requires cutting edge development, and investment not only in terms of resources to match the best, but most certainly an injection of inspiration to become the best.

I represented Trinidad and Tobago on a global stage in another discipline and the story is very similar. Were it not for many pockets of those who appreciated that others were supporting their own, every step of way without fear or favour, I may have succumbed to that evaporation of inspiration. We are a Nation privileged with talent that abounds in every single sphere. It is high time we begin to appreciate that we love winners, and in so doing, we must be prepared to put out what is required to provide the platform to continue creating the conditions and supportive networks to keep inspiring this generation of winners.