The National Sports Commission is moving to dissect the process surrounding the selection of athletes for the annual national sports awards with a view towards making the process more transparent and to ensure there is no ambiguity in the section criteria.
This is according to Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the National Sports Commission.
“In an effort to build on the successful return of the National Sports Awards following a two-year absence the National Sports Commission will undertake a Review Exercise to analyze the overall criterion utilised for selection of the various winners and to deal with any ambiguity, “ a release from the National Sports Commission stated.
Ninvalle yesterday stated that the assessment procedure will be undertaken by a high calibre panel comprising media experts and operatives as well as experienced sports administrators and aficianados.
The group will meet next week to commence the review proicess, said Ninvalle, adding that the process will be thorough to ensure any inadequacies are addressed and remedied.
“The panel, which is of the highest competence, and is littered with media experts and sports enthusiasts, will be meeting next week to analyze the entirety of the selection criteria and will make recommendations if shortcomings are identified, for possible amendments,” he declared. “The objective is to ensure that the selection process is not only transparent but can stand up to the highest level of scrutiny and examination on the local and international scene. The importance of the selection criteria must be reflected. That narrative must never be called into question,” said Ninvalle.
Ninvalle said if some of the rules are to be amended then so be it.
“Ultimately, this assessment process is about possibly enhancing and amending the rules that are employed for selection, if deficiencies are recognized. Some areas for analysis have already been earmarked by the panel and discourse will occur on the way forward if amendments are required.
There is no point in waiting until next year to undertake the procedure, which can be reinforced now ahead of the next awards ceremony. This exercise will encompass the entirety of the National Sports Award selection platform,” Ninvalle explained.
