TOWARDS FOOTBALL WORLD CUP 2026

[dropcap]F[/dropcap]ootball experts agree that countries like ours, with minuscule populations, would be hard-pressed to send a team to football’s greatest event: the World Cup. The argument is based on the tremendous resources needed to train and prepare a national team for international competitions. If Saint Lucian football is to improve, it must begin at the grassroots level, training enthusiasts from an early age: no drinking, no smoking, no drugs; better nutrition, plus positive thinking at all times.

Improved coaching and administration at the club and community levels is therefore crucial. Above all, young footballers must be taught at an early age to respect themselves and to avoid negative friends and situations. They must be prepared to let insults and name-calling slide like water off a duck’s back.

This leads me to the question: How will Saint Lucians feel watching one of their own wearing another country’s uniform in a football World Cup match? Saint Lucians have played football for various clubs in Europe. Had those individuals decided to change nationality and make themselves available for their new country, would we feel proud, jealous, or indifferent?

By comparison, how many Saint Lucians are waiting in line for a United States citizenship? Who in their right mind can begrudge a person who welcomes opportunity? A Saint Lucian playing football for another country should stir admiration and support, not derision and loathing.     

One way to participate in football World Cup 2026 is through negotiations with Trinidad (or another) and for FIFA to allow team Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenada to participate in the Trinidad professional football league. If it can be negotiated, and FIFA approves, the Trinidad Football League can schedule competitive matches in all four islands, using FITA professional referees. Players from each island-team will then be entitled to play for Trinidad & Tobago, if selected. Such a competition would open up the professional league in Trinidad and add more players to the competition.

The same sort of arrangement exists in cricket given its interconnectedness with Caribbean history.

For my part, nothing is impossible for those who envision a different and better future for football, and for sports in general.   

In the meantime, we need to continue improving local football. There was a time when the game was inextricably linked to cricket on the island. As cricket improved, football followed and both progressed simultaneously. This may have been due to the close affiliation between those who administered the two major sports at the time. Today, there are many more sports organisations, and management seems too thinly spread for high impact. Still, there is hope if new sports administrators are rigorously screened and closely monitored and supervised.

In this regard, we look forward to the opening of the new school year, paying close attention to the Gros Islet Secondary School as it seeks to implement a new policy promoting sports development. We need to remember that to be the best means constantly competing against the best. Indeed, that ought to be the ultimate goal of education and sports. Saint Lucia must aim to produce the equivalent of Nobel laureates in sports.

When we visualize the future, our thoughts must turn towards overcoming obstacles in new and creative ways. To aim to be the best means overcoming hurdles often deliberately strewn in our paths. Sucking our teeth and turning our backs is not what winners do. To turn around defeated is not an option for serious sportsmen and women. No! We need to think of ways to break new ground, to overcome old foes, and to trace a new path to progress and success.

I end with a short tribute to our sports writers who obviously enjoy their work as much as we sports lovers do. To borrow a phrase totally disconnected from sports, without them what would
little boys (and girls) do?

It doesn’t help that our politicians show scant interest in athletics, gymnastics, bodybuilding and so on. That here and there a game is named for them has less to do with sports per se than with publicity for the particular politician.

It’s small wonder that Saint Lucia cannot legitimately consider itself a sports-loving country. Too many who administer sports are self-seeking. If there is nothing in it for them, they shy away. Free travel, monetary perks, favours for their kids and friends and the opportunity to defraud their association are but a few of the reasons some persons become involved in sports administration.

In the past, ministers of the government were energized to serve sports. They were often assisted by friends, businesses and former sports personalities. That breed of helpers seems to have died out. Thankfully, there are a few individuals who still spend time and money helping sportsmen and women. Darren Sammy, Digicel and Sandals are the most obvious, but there are others!