Sport and culture will help dissuade criminals

THE EDITOR: I am not accustomed to writing letters to the Editor, but I feel constrained to do so on this occasion. Our nation is talking about vision 2020 but I am distressed by the short sightedness of many of our citizens regarding creative projects that have been put forward. As a physician, I would first of all like to commend our Minister of Health, the Honourable John Rahael, for his perspicacity in launching the initiative of clearing up the surgical backlog that exists in our nation’s public hospitals, namely in the areas of cataract, hernia, prostate, gynaecological and orthopaedic surgery.

I am sure that there are many persons who can attest to the fact that they have had to endure ridiculously long waiting periods to obtain their much needed surgical procedures in the above mentioned areas, and needy individuals can now obtain operations within two weeks, for which they previously had to wait for three to five years. That to me is the true meaning of vision 2020. I would also like to address the current debate regarding the $850 million that have been allotted for the construction of a sporting complex in Tarouba. I have been disappointed at the lack of vision of many of our businessmen and others who feel that this money should be diverted to fight crime. But, how does criminal behaviour emanate? When I was a boy, my fellow youths took active part in sports, cultural activities and youth movements. We did not have television, computers, Nintendo, and other foreign inspired cultural influences. What resulted, was that criminal activity and delinquency were comparatively low.

We had respect for our parents, the police and authority in general. I remember that as the District Medical Officer responsible for the San Fernando region in the early eighties, I was approached by a Mr Flament on behalf of a group of people comprising an organisation in the Roy Joseph “Plannings” in San Fernando. They wanted to take part in the Best Village programme, but they didn’t have a venue in which to practise. They asked me if they could utilise the Roy Joseph Health Centre for this purpose. I must admit that I was initially very sceptical, for there were many persons in San Fernando who would consider the area a “nest of bandits.” Nonetheless, I consulted my county medical officer of health who was also sceptical but reluctantly agreed.

I can assure you that on the several occasions that I dropped in, without notice, during their practice sessions, I was very impressed with the fervour which they dedicated to their tasks. They never disrupted or abused the premises, and all in all, these individuals whom some would consider “bandits” showed tremendous respect for me at the health centre. This cultural activity also did wonders for their self-esteem. It is a truism that sport and culture do wonders to prevent delinquency. In Cuba sport and culture reign supreme. This has caused Cuba to have significantly less senseless criminal activity than our twin island republic. I am all for the growth of our country that this would solve the problem? Crime results, for the most part, from sociological dislocation. Our youth are constantly bombarded with foreign influences resulting in the corruption of our music and culture.

In many countries the state demands that a certain percentage of local music be played on their radio stations. Not us. We therefore see our young people apeing foreign practices, including the glorification of criminal activities that we see on the screen, television and music. I am convinced that the investment of this $850 million is critical to build us a state of the art sporting complex, as I am also convinced that this would rebound to the benefit of our nation by stimulating and encouraging our young people to be come more interested in healthy sporting practices. At the present moment, if we wish to hold any major event, we have to look to the National Stadium or the Queen’s Park Oval. We do not have any appropriate venue in the south. In closing, I hope and pray that our Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Minister Boynes, holds fast, and is not dissuaded in pursuing this highly commendable project forward to its full realisation.

EDMUND MICHAEL
MD MMS FAAFP
Port-of-Spain