The T&T International Marathon (TTIM) is on January 27. That is the great news.
Even better news is that we will be at it again. We, meaning, the president of the T&T Olympic Committee, Brian Lewis, and his band of merry men and women.
In much the same way, as the new "Robin Hood" in cinemas all over the World in 2018 and before, Lewis, is seeking to add perspective to the sporting landscape again by ensuring that those without (our beloved athletes) receive the necessary support to succeed for all of us.
Unlike "Robin Hood" though, Lewis is trying to seek support from the wealthy and famous in the proper manner with public transparency and earnest desire. It is now left to those who have the power to assist their country folk, to follow through on their new year resolutions of "care, love, belief in their human brothers and sisters to deliver".
Less many of you forget, the purpose of Lewis, Tony Lee, Elizabeth Griffith, Anton La Fond, Nigel Mark Baptiste, Roger Daniel, Curtis Nero, Captain Andy Cheekes, Richie Rahim, Merryl Seetal, Michael Reece, Clayton Morris, Dale Lutchman, Sunny Bling, Robert Dumas and myself being involved is because of the dire need to support our athletes.
Robert has a personal drive as well, towards an urgent operation for his beloved father, so there is added incentive for persons to rally around him and the team.
For too long in this country, persons have allowed their blinded ways to ignore the needs of our athletes or those that are in need of medical attention. While we all, on one hand, want our athletes to succeed, on the other hand, we are only willing to talk and not walk the talk.
Why not come out January 27 and be part of the walk by contributing to the athletes' welfare fund on the day and feel the passion and joy as you make that personal effort which goes a long way in driving the future of sports in this country.
As we look ahead to this season with loads of possibilities and expectations and in light of the powerful message recently delivered by Professor Gerry Brooks, the chairman of the National Gas Company at the National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) awards on January 5, let us hope that all are listening, from athletes to associations, to government, to corporate T&T and finally to the media.
It all starts with us, with me, with you and that perhaps it is the greatest challenge, as there are many in this country that are strangers to that clear and present understanding.
As the “Robin Hood" theme song goes, there is a lot that we can all learn from this fight, between good and evil, because mentally whether intentionally or not, there are many in this country involved in sports, that do not want our athletes to be successful, even if their obviously empty words seem to suggest otherwise.
Taken from the theme song, sung by Bryan Adams:
“Look into my eyes
You will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart
Search your soul
And when you find me there, you'll search no more
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do
I do it for you
Look into your heart
You will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am
Take my life
I would give it all, I would sacrifice
Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for”.
Can we openly ignore the sacrifices and the pain in the eyes of our athletes as they continue to give their life and their everyday living, just to be part of the T&T sporting landscape? On so many occasions, the words from the song ring so very true, especially, when we note that we need to, search your soul.
It will be very interesting as the date draws nearer and with many distractions around to observe the behaviour of the citizens in this country towards sports and more particularly towards the Dianne Henderson-led TTIM three-day fiesta which begins on January 25 with a six-team relay run around the Queen's Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain, followed by a 5k event on January 26, culminating with the Marathon.
So let us hope that, as "Robin Hood" and his team have a fairytale ending, that Lewis and his bunch of followers likewise have the same sort of ending, which would greatly not only please our athletes but the many children and youths in need at Eshe Learning Centre as well as the cancer and diabetes drive.
Come on T&T, show your true colours once again.