ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):

A top sports official here contends that much more work needs to be done to bring coaching and administrating in Antigua and Barbuda up to international standards.

"When we look at the work to be done and the work that has been done it tells us that there is a lot more to be done for and on behalf of our athletes," EP Chet Greene, the president of the National Olympic Committee, said. "I'm particularly concerned about coaching and the opportunities available to our elite athletes. The focus has to be placed on coach training - and that has to involve sending our 'elite' coaches, national coaches on assignments with countries where the achievement level exceeds what we have so far achieved in Antigua.

'Lot to be desired'

"We have been sending coaches from the NOC perspective to a number of courses over the last seven years since I've been involved, and I'm sure before that too. But as we look at the requirements and the demands for high performance at these games, a lot is left to be desired in our coaching programme at home."

Greene, who has led the NOC for the last 10 years, said corporate Antigua and government needed to invest in bringing high-level coaches from select disciplines, to the country.

He was present at the recent Pan American Games in Rio, Brazil where Brendan Christian captured gold in the 200 metres and bronze in the 100 metres, while James Grayman took bronze in the high jump.

Potential in track and field

"We see the potential in track and field. We see the potential in other sports. I think together with the involvement of the government of Antigua and Barbuda and our membership (the national associations) we must make a determination of which disciplines we will focus on over the next four years and which disciplines we will seek to have government and corporate assistance for with respect to coaching and opportunities for our athletes," the administrator said.

"We are indeed elated but when we look at the results, the two athletes who have copped medals for Antigua and Barbuda are training overseas and I think that will bear out the point I'm making that we need to sharpen the skills of our local coaches because even if we continue to send our athletes overseas when they become 'elite' athletes the whole notion of the formation of our athletes resides and rest under the care and control of local coaches.

"For that reason, there must be some improvement in their own abilities to (a) identify talents, (b) hone and develop these talents to the extent that we can see ourselves building on the successes and the achievements of Rio 2007."