In a courageous, almost desperate and genuine effort to curb the wave of “senseless” crimes by very young males in our community, a number of organizations, public and private, as well as individual citizens have thrown their resources, efforts and energy into hosting sporting games for young people, in the hope that this would keep their minds focused on positive things. But the crimes keep on keeping on. It’s almost like, “in your face”— the types of “reckless” violence that seem to erupt with dreadful regularity, whenever we are lulled into a feeling of relief or security. Whenever we venture to think that perhaps the shootings will stop, we hear of someone else being shot, sometimes killed, and more often than not, it is by a young male, more likely with some level of pigmentation.
There is a myth about, that if young people play sports, they will learn good habits of discipline and respect, and will not be inclined to get involved with crime. The promoters of these games often take the simplistic approach, that, if they are busy playing, then they won’t have as much time to think about committing crimes.
There is some truth in the latter statement: the more time spent playing games, the less time is available to commit crime. In fact, if there are financial rewards from playing games, as in professional sports, there may even be a reduction in the number of young men with an incentive to commit crime.
But there is not much truth in the former statement, unless there is an important modifier. Anyone can play sports. Criminals can play games too. Children will only “learn good habits of discipline and respect” from sports, if they are being supervised by individuals who are able to teach them these important values. It takes a measure of character, which can be significantly enhanced with training, to really be a good “coach” of children in sports. Too many of our children are playing sports without coaches who are qualified to teach them these vital values.
In general, politicians tend to want to get political “mileage” from their investments, so they will eagerly sponsor games on every street corner. But who are the coaches for these kids? What are they being taught about life and about values and respect for authority, and self- discipline? In many instances, these same coaches need some tutoring.
It is a blessing and a golden opportunity that so many of our children, especially those living in the most deprived conditions, still love to play games like football and basketball. It is therefore a great opportunity to use that love of the game as a magnet, to get these kids under the tutelage of well-trained coaches of good character and values, who can influence them, and teach them about the game, while at the same time giving them the even more vital teachings about life, respect, rules and discipline.
Without good coaches, the children will play the game, quarrel and fight when they can’t get their way, and go and commit crime when the games are over. It is happening right now. Some of the very players on these youth teams in weekend tournaments are “shattaz” under the tutelage of older negative forces in the community. To really captivate their minds, and lure them away from their present path, will take more than just another “marathon” at the basketball court or at the football field, without investing in training good coaches to work with them and steer them toward a positive road in life through sports.
And this is where as a nation we have been falling down on the job. Sporting associations have a tremendous role to play, but the political will have to be present to insist that these associations are not violating their charter, and in effect, retarding the progress of our youth and wasting the opportunity to guide them on the proper path in life. In general, our Belizean political leaders have abdicated their responsibility in this area. And as a result, some sporting opportunists and shortsighted incompetents have had a field day. Resources that should be put into training and certification of coaches and officials in sports are being misused and unaccounted for.
But politicians don’t have time for that process. For example, it doesn’t matter to our political leaders that FIFA sends BZ $500,000 every year, in addition to other major funding for special projects, all to be invested in “training and development”. But, because of political affiliations, we turn a blind eye. And our City Council will now try to fill the gap with street games, and weekend marathons, to keep the out-of-school children busy. A noble effort. But where are the trained coaches? Where is the investment in our retired footballers? Everything has a cost, but we need to invest where it will bear the desired fruit.