Human Resources failings
2026-03-26 - 01:23
Human Resources (HR) is critical in every aspect of the working life of an organisation, whether in sports or not. In fact, many organisations outside of sports have found themselves in hot water because of poor and misguided decisions by their HR departments. This applies to many workplaces, even in the media. We have all witnessed “square pegs in round holes,” “a mismatch made in (office) heaven,” the “wrong tool for the job,” or a “bad hire” that costs more than an empty seat. Perhaps, overall, management should address the most critical result of disastrous HR departments: “the fox guarding the hen house.” Yes, I know many from the media to the business world can visibly identify with these concerns; this is no Disney classic, so the end is not always good. And by good, I mean good for sports and our athletes. Whether we are referring to National Governing Bodies (NGBs) or sporting organisations or those supposed to support them, it behoves me to inquire about the skill sets of some involved. For too long in this country, I have listened to the cries of those who have to fend for themselves while attempting to represent their country at the highest level, only to deal with overzealous and uncaring persons for support. The abject disregard for what it means to represent one’s country and the work and sacrifices these boys, girls, men, and women undergo is taken far too lightly by “lightweights” in jobs meant for “heavyweights.” It appears that some hired to work as HR officers have no actual understanding of their role: to be the ears at times, and not the “nosey neighbours” all the time (media practitioners, relax–you have your own headaches to deal with, whatever the shape or size). Therefore, I was most interested when the Minister of Sport and Community Development, the honourable Phillip Watts, told me that only about four out of over 50 NGBs were actually compliant last year, though at least 18-20 more are now nearing compliance. I have to ask: who in these NGBs was given the HR responsibility to ensure compliance? I have heard in the past of leading athletes’ documents for grant support going missing, with athletes claiming they have to constantly redo them with no assistance. I hope and pray (it is Lent, after all) that this is no longer the case. I believe the several people (over 10) who relayed this message weren’t imagining they were in a Disney fairytale like Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, or Pocahontas. For my media friends, it might actually come across as a poorly vetted and produced Bollywood sitcom. The Carifta Games will take place on Easter weekend in Grenada, so I am “wishing on a star” that the National Association of Athletics Administrations of T&T (NAAATT), which oversees athletics and field operations, gets the full and unbridled support of those in authority. We don’t have to listen to some bureaucratic foul-up by “ingenious” HR persons in sheep’s clothing. These youngsters are our future. Sport is the one avenue that breaks barriers and redefines a nation, but for that to materialise, there must be total country buy-in from corporate T&T, not just the government. These youngsters must have support and the human resource thinking in several areas of corporate roles, from marketing to communications, which is deficient and needs adjustment if the future of T&T is to be secure and safe. As March 2026 draws to an end, can we as a country say that every one of us has fully supported sports as best we could? Whether through attendance or monetary support, if the honest answer is “yes,” then I congratulate you. If it is not, as is the case for most of us (including myself), then we all have work to do, and now is the time to start. Do not let the obstacles instilled by errant HR officers (pretenders of justice) obstruct your pathway or deny your goals and aspirations. I always believe that good overcomes evil; sadly for some, what goes around comes around threefold and perhaps even greater for those who silently turn a blind eye when they know better. So, I wish our Carifta youngsters all the best in terms of their drive and determination to succeed for themselves, their families, loved ones and this country, because not everyone can earn the legitimate right to wear a national uniform on an international stage. Let’s come out of this sporting conundrum smiling and proud. And remember: Friday, April 17, 2026, at 6 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium as our senior women’s team goes after victory against El Salvador in a must-win game to advance to the final round of Women’s World Cup qualification. Let’s do this T&T and do it TOGETHER!