TRINIDAD and Tobago netball fraternity lost a legend with the passing of Janet Bailey.

She died at her daughter’s residence in the United States on Friday night, aged 80.

Bailey, who was inducted into the Netball Hall of Fame, was a member of the national netball team at the first-ever World Netball Championship in Eastbourne, England, in 1963.

And she went on to represent her country in two more world tournaments 1971 and 1975.

Among her peers on that first world series were Marjorie John, Judy Francis, Enid Browne, Phyllis Pierre-Walker and the late Jean Pierre.

The powerfully- built Bailey was a stalwart goal-keeper, and many goalshoots and goal-attacks feared that big left hand.

After one game between a men’s team and the nationals in a practice match at the Eddie Taylor Court, later the Lystra Lewis Court, Princes Building grounds, legendary West Indies fast bowler Wes Hall who was in the men’s team said “she beat me more than my mother.” Bailey and a cadre of top netballers, Pierre-Walker, the late Pearl Francis and John entered the Police service and made that netball team champions.

On leaving the service, Bailey became a member of Carib Senators and teamed up with another national star goal-defence Althea Thomas to form a destructive defensive duo while winning the Port -of-Spain Netball League title multiple times.

Always flashing a broad smile, “Jay” as she was popularly called by her peers was the mother of three girls—Jacinta, Jeanne and Jessel.

Only Jeanne followed her footsteps into the top flight of netball, becoming one of the country’s elite goal-shoots.

After her playing days, Bailey entered into administration and became president of the Port -of-Spain Netball League for two consecutive terms.

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Sports Minister Darryl Smith wants a constitutional health check of all national sporting organisations (NSOs).

To achieve this, he has directed the legal team to lead heads of departments at the ministry in gathering and examining the constitutions of all national sporting organisations, in an effort to determine if these bodies were operating in a free and fair manner.    

His decision to undertake this exercise was a direct result of concerns raised by some members of the cricket fraternity about the questionable governance practices by the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) as allowed under the existing constitution.

The issue led to public spats between TTCB officials and their detractors, who accused officials on the board of using the delegate system to place a strangle hold on clubs to retain office and ultimately power. At yesterday’s special Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva, opponents of the board called for amendments to the constitution including the introduction of a one man one vote system. The T&T Guardian has learnt that motions tabled towards amending the constitution were defeated.     

In a direct effort to bolster the management of NSOs, Smith said he wanted public officers to acquire the constitutions of all the governing bodies to unearth trends and weaknesses. He wanted to: “see what is the trend, what is the common denominator. I also requested best practices throughout the world with regards to international governing bodies. How do they do their elections and stuff.”

Smith continued, “The People’s National Movement, the party that I am from and I am proud to be a part of, we recently under Dr (Keith) Rowley, the Prime Minister, made major changes towards the one man one vote (system). It is the more democratic, transparent way. I as minister don’t want to get heavily involved with the running of the NGOs. But again, we are working together in a partnership, where we (are) funding and giving advice and our job is to look over sport in T&T.”

Asked if state enterprises namely the National Gas Company of T&T and the National Lotteries Control Board should provide financial assistance to the TTCB which was reported to have a structure that was undemocratic, the minister did not respond directly.

“I think the Cricket Board knows T&T is watching. I am happy that the board is having this dialogue. It shows maturity. As a minister of sport, I think that the democracy and the democratic process of the constitution with regard to the elections have to be ventilated and looked at. In its current stage, there are some issues, but again, let them talk it out. I agree that changes need to be made in terms of it being more transparent.”

No official from the ministry of sport attended Saturday’s AGM said Smith.

Not even in an observer capacity, he declared. In his view, the ministry of sports had become too involved in the day-to-day operations of NSOs.

“The accounts department (is) getting quotes for trips and cutting cheques! They (are) not doing the ministry’s work anymore. They (are) doing NSO work. The ministry’s staff need to focus on the ministry, so we could better understand and be more efficient,” he said.

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National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have been urged to support the 2017 World Games in a letter sent by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach.

Set-up in 1981, the World Games is a quadrennial event for sports and disciplines not on the Olympic programme, with the International World Games Association (IWGA) currently consisting of 37 International Federations, some of which also govern disciplines showcased at the Olympics.

Historically, relations between the body and the IOC have not always been completely harmonious, but they have been increasingly united in recent years as the IOC seek to embrace new sports into the Olympic fold.

Bach's letter, delivered as all 206 NOCs arrive here for the Association of National Olympic Committees General Assembly on Thursday and Friday (October 29 and 30), is the latest indication of this.

“The IWGA and the World Games event play important roles in the framework of the Olympic Movement," he wrote, before encouraging NOCs to participate in 2017's event in Wroclaw, Poland, scheduled for July 20 to 30.

All constituent Federations must also be affiliated to SportAccord, but the IWGA took the side of the IOC in this year's dispute between Bach and former SportAccord President, Marius Vizer.

They even granted permission for members to withdraw their membership of SportAccord in light of "exceptional circumstances".

Vizer, who later resigned, had made a speech which was critical of Bach, prompting various bodies to withdraw from the International Federations' union in protest.

In August, IWGA President José Perurena, who also heads the International Canoe Federation, became the second recipient of the IOC's new age limit exceptions, introduced as part of the Agenda 2020 reform process, with the Spaniard being granted an extension of his membership for a maximum of four years, despite reaching the age limit of 70.

A maximum of five exemptions can be given at one time.

Perurena, due to present to the NOCs here during the General Assembly on the World Games, was full of praise for Bach's stance.

“Close cooperation with the IOC and the NOCs is essential to take our event up to the next step," he said.

"We are grateful for Thomas Bach’s endorsement of The World Games 2017.

"I agree with his assessment: the ninth edition of our event in Cali in Colombia was an outstanding success, not least thanks to the support of the NOCs.

“In 2017, we aim for nothing less than the best World Games ever, and one of the stepping stones to help us reach this goal is close cooperation with NOCs.”

Wroclaw was awarded the Games in 2012, beating off opposition from Hungary's capital Budapest, which has now entered the race to host the 2024 Olympics.

Twenty-seven sports are set to be contested: air sports, archery, beach handball, billiards, boules sport, bowling, canoeing, dance sport, finswimming, fistball, floorball, flying disc, gymnastics, ju jitsu, karate, korfball, lacrosse, lifesaving, muay thai, orienteering, powerlifting, roller sports, sport climbing, squash, sumo wrestling, tug of war and water ski and wakeboarding.

A total of 98 countries participated at Cali 2013, with the 2021 edition having already been awarded to Birmingham, Alabama.

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San Diego has been formally approved as host of the first Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) World Beach Games here today.

The decision was made following an ANOC Events Working Group and Executive Council meeting here this week, with the decision unanimously approved by acclamation from representatives of 204 National Olympic Committees.

In a video-message played after the announcement, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer said the city "was very excited for the opportunity to host the inaugural event.

"Thank you for the opportunity," he added.

The Bid Committee will be led by local businessman and politician Vincent E. Mudd, who was joined by 1983 world silver medal winning triple jumper, Willie Banks.

“I am absolutely stoked at this opportunity,” Mudd said.

“We are the beach, we live the beach.

"It’s part of our culture.”

The Games is expected to feature between 20 and 22 sports, with Esports among those included as well as skateboarding, surfing and wall climbing.

Others expected to be held includes basketball 3x3, BMX, flying disc, jet ski, karate, marathon swimming, stand-up-paddle racing, triathlon, wakeboarding, water polo, windsurfing and beach versions of athletics, handball, tennis, badminton, volleyball and wrestling.

But full confirmation is yet to be given with more discussions to take place as to the exact programme.

Other sports such as rowing are still keen to be added.

Competion for 17 sports will take place on Mission Beach, a community built on a sandbar between the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay.

Four other sports will be held on Broadway Pier Venue in the downtown part of the city.

It should take place from September 29 to October 9 in 2017, soon after the International Olympic Committee Session in which fellow Californian city Los Angeles is vying to be awarded the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.

The announcement was preceded by a lengthy presentation by Sheikh Ahmad about the philosophy behind the Games,  as well as by George Taylor, President of ANOC partner Sports Art Plus.

The Beach Games was originally launched as a joint project between ANOC and SportAccord in October 2013, but has been increasingly seen as a personal priority of ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah.

The idea came out of the success of the Asian Beach Games, the continental event first held in Bali, Indonesia in 2008.

But relations between the two bodies deteriorated earlier this year when former SportAccord President Marius Vizer awarded Sochi the inaugural edition without participation from ANOC,  although the Russian coastal resort withdrew soon ahead of Vizer's resignation.

ANOC are now taking sole control of the event, which is called the ANOC World Beach Games rather than just the World Beach Games due to SportAccord having trademarked the latter name.

“This is an historic moment for ANOC and the NOC family," said Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah today.

"The ANOC World Beach Games has been a key priority for ANOC for nearly two years and today we took a step closer to making our vision a reality.

“We were very impressed by the plan that San Diego put forward.

"As part of the process that selected San Diego, a report from Dow Jones Sport Intelligence was commissioned.

"This enabled us to independently research and verify important event related criteria for the ANOC World Beach Games.

"We have worked closely with industry experts to devise an innovative concept which will blend sport, culture and entertainment and we believe that San Diego is the perfect city to deliver our vision."

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It is worth all the trouble. Time is valuable.  We have to spend it wisely and focus on the things that really matter.

We can unlock the haven of human potential that is abundant in Trinidad and Tobago and tge region.  If only we believed in ourselves enough to concentrate on what we must do rather than focusing on what we like to do.

Its 3am as the packed mini bus moves through the streets of Paramaribo, already buzzing with market vendor activity. Sport leaders heading to the airport to catch a 4.30 am Trinidad and Tobago time Caribbean Airline flight to Port of Spain. United in commitment and determination to make a positive difference through sport and Olympism.

The Trinbagonians will head straight from touch down at 5.30am to their respective workplaces a reality often lost in the incompetent, self serving sport administrator narrative.

The stush life story line of FIFA and other International Federations is not the lot of the average joe and jane sport administrator.

Truth be told changing the negative narrative will only come against the back drop of good governance.

There has never been a better time.

The enormous potential and opportunity for growth in sport places needed pressure on every single sport leader and administrator to get off their high horse and come down to earth.

Be it the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC), the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC ) and/or the respective National Olympic Committees now is the time.

Driving good governance is the most important priority .

The foundation for sustainable growth and development must be built on good governance.

The 13th General Assembly of CANOC took place in Paramaribo, Suriname earlier this month. The Olympic Solidarity Forum theme this year was resource allocation.

Two long days that could turn out to be nothing more than a talk shop should the importance of the deliberations and approved in principle Constitution amendments drown in the in the river of failed implementation and lack of focused attention.

Good governance was mentioned so many times that keeping count became a futile excercise.

Concerns about poor governance may have reached critical mass  .

Time will certainly provide the acid test.

The fact that the CANOC Executive and the General Assembly supported a proposal made by the TTOC that the regional umbrella Olympic Movement body undertake a process to create a Caribbean Good  Sport Governance Code is cause for optimism, as is the fact the CANOC General Assembly agreed in principle to amend the Organisation's Constitution to include, among other things, term limitations. Significant mileposts.

The  wind of change is blowing.

Term limitations for office holders is not a small step but a huge step forward for CANOC.

As the clock says 5.08 am and the Caribbean Airline flight begins its descent into Piarco Airport across the aisle Mike Fennell, head of the Jamaica Olympic Association, is in pensive thought, as is CANOC secretary general Keith Joseph two seats ahead.

Former CANOC and TTOC secretary general Elton Prescott, senior counsel and member of the CANOC Juridical Commission, is ready for his day's work.

The inconvenience is a small price to pay in a collective effort to make a huge difference for Caribbean athletes and the region's Olympic Movement.

Good governance is not a slogan but a deep commitment.

But the battle to make good governance the rule rather than the exception has only just begun.

Rome wasn't built in a day.

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Introducing continental Beach and Youth Games were among items discussed at a Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) Workshop held here in which the future direction of the body was discussed.

The two-day meeting, which began last night following the conclusion of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) General Assembly, was billed as an historic opportunity for all stakeholders in the Pan American sports movement to air their views.

This was in contrast, it was claimed, from the normal practice of most ideas being parachuted down from the leadership.

It was chaired by interim President Julio Maglione and comes as the body re-examines itself following the death earlier this year of Mario Vázquez Raña, the Mexican who had led the body since 1975.

There were  no firm decisions taken, but insidethegames has been told that a possible Beach Games and Youth Games were among leading items.

These are concepts which have already been pioneered by other Continental Associations, particularly Asia.

It was agreed, though, that there is no point introducing additional events unless they had firm support and fitted into an already packed calendar.

It follows yesterday's decision here to award the first ANOC World Beach Games to San Diego in 2017.

A presentation was given during the meeting by United States Olympic Committee (USOC) chairman Larry Probst on new marketing opportunities for the body.

A more professional approach must be adopted in order to maximise their chances, it was claimed, including hiring either external consultants or an in-house marketing director required.

Maximising the use of Olympic Solidarity was also discussed, as well as the future of the Pan American Games, the next edition of which is scheduled for Peruvian capital Lima in 2019.

An Executive Committee meeting is due take place here tomorrow in order to follow-up on these discussions, while the next stage will come at an Extraordinary General Assembly, which will probably be held around February next year.

The chief aim of this meeting will be to approve the new PASO Statutes distributed to members in August, but which were not discussed here.

A date still has been decided for next year's Annual General Assembly at which a new President will be elected, with the Statutes only stipulating that it must be held at some stage in 2016.

Formal discussions have so far not taken place on the potential new President, it is claimed.

The favourite is widely believed to be Carlos Nuzman, President of the Brazilian Olympic Committee and head of Rio 2016.

Other contenders include the Dominican Republic's José Joaquín Puello, St Vincent and the Grenadines' Keith Joseph, Mexico's Ivar Sisniega and St Lucia's IOC member Richard Peterkin.

Maglione has already promised not to run on a permanent basis.

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