Straughn: ‘Use human resources better’

Barbadian Olympian Seibert Straughn says stakeholders must work together if they truly want sports to develop in Barbados.

During a recent interview, Straughn, a two-time Olympian and one of the greatest 400m runners in the island, said it was time that stakeholders reach common ground for the development of sports.

“It is not easy being an administrator. I think the key is for all the stakeholders to think the same way. If all of us are not thinking the same way we will just get some performance once in a blue moon and not as consistent. We also have to share our ideas even more with one another because the ultimate aim is that we all want success for Barbados. As long as everybody plays their small part we could get success. I would say not only for track and field but for all sports,” he said. 

Straughn who served at various levels for the Athletics Association of Barbados and was a former chairman of the National Sports Council explained that he was able to see how things functioned and operated at that level. He said the reality was that Barbados always had talent.

“I was fortunate to be part of the policymaking decisions as chairman of the sports council. I would have been able to see things at various levels. How things function and operate. Barbados always got talent, we don’t lack talent at all but it is how we utilise the talent.

“One of the things we got to do is utilise our resources better. And when I talk about resources, something I learned from my coach while at college, resources are not all about money. Our best resources are our people and this is what we have to start using a lot better. We got to, it is very important,” he told Barbados TODAY.

He suggested that things like the Texaco Games was one of the best things that ever happened for athletics on the island. Straughn is hoping to see a similar championship being hosted for the further development of local athletes some day.

“One of the key things was the Texaco Games back in 1988. The Texaco Games opened my eyes to even more in terms of moving to the next level in my development. You had international runners coming here, “ he added.

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb