It is painfully obvious that we have too many self-proclaimed experts in areas where they have little to no actual knowledge. This needs to stop and our conclusions and pronouncements need to be based on facts and facts only. A perfect place to start is always to ask questions, relevant questions.
The St. Lucia National Football Teams will, from time to time, engage in competition and there will be a selection process in putting together the 18- or 22-man squad to represent the island. Every year, however, there are inundated with dissenting voices claiming bias and favoritism on the part of the coaching staff or selection committee. On this occasion it is not different.
The current National Football team is presently in Curacao to take on Curacao and Barbados in what is crucial World Cup qualifying encounters. The team, which left earlier this week, had not yet set foot on the aircraft before the “experts” started offering their “two cents” as to why certain players selected or excluded from the squad.
Dahmanii Berthier is one of the names that has popped in the latest edition of “my two cents” magazine. It must be said that young Berthier is a bright prospect and an exciting figure on the playing surface. He proved that last year in the first edition of the St. Lucia Semi Professional Football League (SPFL) and in the last edition of the Blackheart Tournament which earned him an official award while winning the hearts of many. His agility, athleticism, speed, etc. are not in question here. What is at issue is whether his non-selection was the result of improper and irrelevant motives such as the dislike of him as a footballer or an implicit bias that should have no place in the selection of a national team.
The selection process takes place all over the footballing world, indeed in any competitive pursuit, sporting or otherwise, requiring choice, and in almost every case there will be many who will disagree with some of those who got the nod. Nothing new. Suggesting ill intentions, ill will, the likes or preferences of the selectors is reckless since we do not know the reason or reasons why the discission was taken.
Remember we spoke about asking relevant questions? Let’s ask those now. Do we know if he trained regularly after National Training was called? Do we know how well he trained? Do we know if there are disciplinary issues? Do we know of his ability to adequately follow instructions? Do we know about the team formation referred by the Head Coach and whether the player in question can adapt or fit in? There are many other questions that can be tabled however probably the most important is this. Do we know if he was the best player in his position for what the Head Coach is looking for?
If we are unable to answer those questions honestly, we can ill afford to make credible pronouncements.
In previous editions of the national team, head coaches have been known to select many players they were familiar with, from their immediate area and from their respective clubs. That is currently nonexistent. The St. Lucia Football Association (SLFA) have three routes for buses taking players to national training, covering the entire island. Soufriere through Anse La Raye, Vieux Fort through Dennery and Castries, emphasizing the point that all players have a shot at making the final squad.
We all need to step back, ask questions and trust the process.