Tobago non-existent according to TTOC

Four time Olympic medallist Ato Boldon, left, with World Championships medallists Josanne Lucas, Kelly Ann Baptiste and Renny Quow. Photo: Clayton Clarke

Tobago looms as the child of the Republic whose status has been reduced from a higher to a lower state of consciousness. The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committe (TTOC) has blatantly refused to recognise Tobago as part of the Republic by their inaction about issues of representation at the 2012 Olympic Games. The abbreviation “TRI” is an issue. It represents the first three letters of the word Trinidad and the prefix for many others of a similar DNA connection. Trinidad is the larger of the two island state. This twin island state is recognised as Trinidad on the international sporting monitor. Tobago and its 55,000 plus residents is non-existent. This is conceptually, morally and constitutionally inappropriate. When the national Track & Field team returned from the 2009 world championships in Berlin, Orville London, chief secretary of Tobago House of Assembly raised the issue of the abbreviation name change amendment with TTOC president Larry Romany. The conversation took place just over two years ago. Rumor has it that nothing has been done to change the status quo. What are Romany and his Association’s secretary doing about this state of affairs? The procedure is under their jurisdiction. They have not articulated or demonstrated a physical willingness to take action that we are aware of. Due date for the application process has not been discussed or communicated the media. Time is running out while the TTOC has slept through 64 years of planning.

Romany is quoted as saying:
1.“Athletes must inspire youth”
2.“Today in our society, we need people who are creative, who are imaginative, and who inspire us all”
3.“We need people to stand up and be counted and in a positive way”

Romany commented “excellent” on the prospect of the T&T Olympic Games in London this year. The thinking is not focusing on the “TRI” issue! An implied response echoes this sentiment. It’s not important enough to be considered. What is important is the money Mr Minister. We need to boost the economy of Edinburgh, Scotland. My family is traveling with me to Scotland then to London to further our vacation. The focus is on dollars not Tobago’s problem. Let Orville deal with that! It is ironical that the TTOC recognises the twin island state, yet at the international level Tobago is completely left out. National Sporting Organisations including the TTOC recognise the importance of inclusion but do not adopt them. The NAAAs, the TTHBC, the TTCB, the TTCF and the TTSF to name a few. Why at the World's premier sporting events, Tobago is missing from “TRI”, but her soldiers are still in action? It is the responsibility of TTOC to hasten the process and ensure the twin island state abbreviation include Tobago. The present abbreviation “TRI” must be discontinued. It is an embarrassment to our nation. The presumption of a hidden agenda should be in question. If Tobago continues to be excluded, there should be a specially appointed committee  to investigate and right this travesty. On the other hand, the NAAA is just waiting in the wings for things to take its natural course. This inaction must not be taken lightly. The last minute ways of addressing critical issues is detrimental to the future of the sport. Do you know that the NAAA has been the recipient of the award for the best performing sports administration in Trinidad & Tobago? Basking in the sunshine of this ill-gotten gain is not the fault of the sponsors. This is due to uninformed personnel.

The NAAA seems laid back. They have a plan in mind. “We working on that!” said Baboolal secretary of the NAAA. This argument is understandable and yet unconquerable. However, the arrogance of the statement implies. It involves a high level of thinking, of moral skill, of moral will and practical wisdom yet to be understood and demonstrated by NAAA representation. The presumed conversation echoes this relevant dialogue: President of the NAAA Ephraim Serrette speaking to a local press described 2011 as a progressive year. Serrette will run for another term at the next annual general meeting. “As far as I know I’m unopposed.” New facilities coming.” Does this sound like politics? Will Serrette be re-elected? He is canvassing to be back unopposed. The focus is not on the “TRI” issue! It is not important? Tobago is not on the agenda? End of dialogue. Will “TRI” be changed to “TnT” or “TRT”?  Tobago’s Kelly-Ann Baptiste representing “TRI” won bronze in the 100m finals at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu and gold at the Continental Cup in Croatia in September 2010 .This  re-opened the debate for changing “TRI” to “TnT” or “TRT” in accordance with the IOC/IAAF compliance act. A national abbreviation is significantly judicious, imperative, and obligatory. Such change will not be the first. Fellow Caribbean neighbors St Kitts & Nevis is now known as SKN. It replaces STK. St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines have altered their abbreviation. If the TTOC/NAAA do not know the procedure, they should ask St Kitts, Nevis, St Lucia the IAAF or the IOC.
The London Olympics is five months away. The London Olympics will be an historic setting appropriately occasioned for the change. A lot of things are acceptable until we stop accepting it.