9/10/2008 11:20:00 AM BTFA needs to get back on track Sports minister says ‘drastic changes’ needed to turn around track and field
* Photo by Ras Mykkal.
How elite? Xavier James represented Bermuda in the 2004 Olympics but it would be difficult for him to rank in the top 50 in the world because so many athletes compete in the event. His dad, El James, the Sports Minister, said the Elite Athlete Fund needs to be revamped so that money isn’t paid out solely based on world rankings.
Sports Minister El James has called for 'drastic changes' in Track and Field to help Bermuda produce more world-class athletes.
The minister was concerned that only six athletes represented Bermuda at the Beijing Olympics and that the island's two track and field representatives - long jumpers Arantxa King and Tyrone Smith - did not even come through the local system.
Now he is calling on the Bermuda Track and Field Association to get its house in order as he plots sweeping changes to the way this country develops and nurtures its athletes.
James wants a complete overhaul of the Elite Athletes Programme, the introduction of 'Centres of Excellence' for the island's best young sports people and more funds freed up to aid promising athletes at the development stage.
He also plans a review of how the clubs, the BTFA and the national squad co-operate.
He said: "Swimming is doing well, but we want to especially see this with track and field. We want to get track and field back on track.
"They've come up with a plan. Now we're trying to fine-tune the plan that they have. "There are going to be some drastic changes. There are going to have to be in order to get it to work."
Youth and Sports permanent secretary Kevin Monkman added: "I think the whole country wants to hear that the Track and Field Association are going to produce athletes."
James continued: "We're looking at everything; their coaching programme, their total development programme and how they tie in with the various clubs out there.
"We want a national programme that's going to be a thriving one. Each of those clubs have up to 120 people and they're going off to the east coast and winning medals.
"We want them to come into a national programme that really enhances what they have and further develops them and gives them scholarship opportunities... gives them medal opportunities."
Elite Athlete Fund
He added that he was working with the Bermuda Olympic Association to make the Elite Athlete Fund more inclusive.
"We are going to look at its effectiveness or lack of effectiveness with a plan to make it a lot more athlete-friendly for all ages."
James knows firsthand the frustration of trying to get funds as his son Xavier represented Bermuda in the 100 metres at the 2004 Olympics. Xavier was ineligible for 'elite' status,and the additional funds that come with it, under the current rules because he was not in the top 50 sprinters in the world.
James believes the system is unfair because some sports have far fewer competitors than others,
"Patrick Singleton (skeleton) and Brian Wellman (triple jump) could be elite athletes until they're 90 because there are so few athletes competing in their sports.
"We'll never have an elite athlete in the 100-metres if they have to be ranked in the top 50 because there are so many more people competing in that sport.
"We realize all the complaints out there. We know it. I've heard it. I had a son (Xavier) who was involved in it. We know we're not going to please everybody, but we want to make it a lot fairer than it is at the moment.
"We want everyone to think that they can get a piece of it.
One of the changes James would like to see is for younger people to have access to those funds. He said athletes as young as nine should be eligible for elite status if they were world-beaters in their age group.
"If they feel that at their age level they are an elite athlete and they can produce it and represent Bermuda well and possibly get us a medal, then we want to make money available to help in their development."
He was already targeting the 2012 Olympics in London by wanting to aid their potential
"We want to plot a development plan for each of these individuals over the next few years so they can hopefully put us on the international map down the road."
n See part two of our Exclusive interview with the minister on Friday for details on his plan for Centres of Excellence for the island's most talented youngsters.
Don Burgess,
please spare us...we are not myopic perhaps you need the glasses. Cant you see that a senior statesman should not be speaking disparagingly about a worldclass athlete and then using his own son an example his case...it is a political disaster...get over the defence of a person who has been elected to be able to navigate these matters more subtly...that is ridiculous...he should not have called Wellmans name...he should know better since he proports to have been educated and an educator and a business man and a worldclass athlete. If he wants to be a leader then lead by example...that was a cheap shot it was reckless and it hurt Mr.Wellman who might I add did far better on the international stage than even BIG EL himself...so lets not miss the real big point...the minutiae is obivious...we know the point...you need to get the real point...a minister should know better....so please Don Burgess spare us your defense and be principled. Wellman is a great athlete and Xavier is a weak example for a solid point. Moreover...a MInister should be more astute and not blinded by his haste he is there to serve us and we have a right to call him on the carpet when he gets caught in the slips.....HOWZEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Umpire!
Posted: Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Comment by:
Don Burgess
I have to come to the defence of the Minister here. El used Xavier as an example because of personal knowledge of how the Elite Athletes Fund doesn't work. It's a bit myopic to focus in on the example rather than the principle of opening up the fund for more athletes. There are dozens of examples of how the fund doesn't work: Malcolm Smith wins the World Sunfish Championship in a fleet of over 70 and doesn't get a cent because he's not sailing in an Olympic Class boat. Anyone who competes in motorsports isn't eligible for funding because there are no motorsports in the Olympics. Teresa Perozzi is not only ranked in the top 50, but is also the NABC middleweight champ, but because women's boxing isn't an Olympic sport, no money. The list can go on and on. He wants to provide more funds for younger athletes who are at the best of their game at their age and that's a great foundation for them to build upon rather than waiting until they are in their 20s to get funding.
While the use of Wellman is an unfortunate example, let's look at the bigger picture here. It's not about Brian or Xavier, it's about all good athletes being given a chance to succeed.
Posted: Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Comment by:
Josh
I think it is a sad day when a govt minister gets blinded by personal issues like this. El James is wealthy enough or he is very close to a MARKET PLACE that he can get funds to support his son if money were the issue....HE knows better. Xavier was out before he started...and with Husain Bolt from Jamaica...imagine how we would have looked with Xavier just coming in across the line at sunset yesterday....
Xavier is considered a nice guy to train with or talk about sport with in track and field...but not somebody to win a medal....so why should Bermudians be paying money for that....leave that elite thing alone...it will protect the money for those who are real contenders...we want to bring home gold.
Posted: Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Comment by:
El James...please spare us!
El James historically is known to be a great athlete. With that in mind it saddens me to see him attack a true track and field athlete like Wellman. I competed under Clive Long when Wellman was coming along...I also know Xavier...the difference is focus. Xavier has raw talent but it is not focused and disciplined.
Xavier would not win a medal if they gave him 90 million dollars. BErmuda does not owe him anything....he needs to at least put up some decent times or show interest in younger athletes or be involved with our community and not just show up looking for handouts.
