Isn’t it strange, peculiar even, that come December 13th, National Day, almost everything that is remotely productive in the Caribbean takes a back seat to the festive season with its rum and black cake? Or is that the entire world?
Obviously schools, the world over, are closed for the “winter break,” some longer than others, while the average worker, particularly those with a choice, refuse to lift a “nail,” during that period.
What catches the eye though is a clear disparity in the sporting arena between what happens in the Caribbean and what happens in the wider world.
Take football for example, the most popular sport in the world and played by almost every nation on planet earth.
December 13th seems to mark the deadline for all tournaments, as well as training, to conclude in St. Lucia and evidently the wider region. The St. Lucia Semi Professional Football League {SPFL}, as if precisely designed, plays its final match on December 13th signalling the end of the 2025 edition of the tournament. On that same day, at least two local youth football tournaments will also conclude their roster of matches.
Further, the 23 and Under Cricket Series between St. Lucia and Dominica at Benjamin’s Park in Dominica saw 6 matches scheduled between December 4th and December 11th while a similar situation exist with the National Under 15 cricketers in Grenada in the 2025 WINLOTT Inc. Windward Islands Championships. So is the case for a number of other sporting disciplines.
Meanwhile, The English Premier League will feature Newcastle United verses Chelsea, Manchester City verses West Ham United, Liverpool at Tottenham and Arsenal at Everton on December 20th. There are also matches scheduled for December 22nd, 23rd, 26th, 27th, 30th and yes January 1st. While the point is made the question remains – how can we expect to be as good as those outside the region, when we demonstrate significantly less discipline in the pursuit of betterment?
And what of the business community? Good luck getting any serious amount of work done during this festive season particularly if it involves small contractors and government agencies.
The Grinch would suggest that this a great amount of sacrifice and waste for a festive season hinged on a fictional character that has little to do with us as a people.
Others would argue that the setting up of the Christmas tree and lights and all the fanfare associated with the season has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus Christ, but rather is steeped in pagan practices which is not of our heritage. That is for a whole other show.
Maybe, just maybe, the overwhelming point here is that we sacrifice our growth and development at the feet of ‘bachanal,’ which is insignificant while clinging to the hope that we can achieve greatness without the discipline and hard work required.
What is for certain, while we take a break from our sporting environment, most of us will be firmly glued to the television for live events around the world.