The 7th International Conference of Ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Physical Education and Sport, MINEPS VII, took place in Baku, Azerbaijan from 26-29 June 2023. MINEPS VII is a global conference engaging governments, athletes, private sector, and other stakeholders to increase investment in sport, improve sport practices, foster quality physical education, and magnify the positive impact of sport on health, society and the economy. This year the conference underscored the importance of measuring the impact of sport to foster participation, attract investments and improve individual and societal wellbeing.
Two young athletes from the Caribbean had the opportunity to participate in MINEPS VII and share their views on the power of sport as a vehicle for empowering youth and the importance of meaningfully including young voices in the development of inclusive sport policies.
The following is an interview with professional track athlete, 25-year-old, Ayanna Morgan of Barbados. As a panelist on the Youth Take the Lead Round Table this exceptional athlete provided a Caribbean perspective into barriers and challenges to participation in sport.
How was your experience at MINEPS VII?
I was grateful to be chosen to not only attend MINEPS VII, but to speak in front of a room full of world leaders in sports who share the same love for the industry that I do. From Ministers of sport, to governing bodies of major events.
This experience has shown me that it is possible to get things done if you set your mind to it. I have had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world who have overcome similar obstacles and helped develop the sporting industry in their hometown. Through it all, I left the conference feeling motivated and excited.
What did you learn?
This conference showed me that not everyone will agree with your opinion or what you plan to do to make a difference, but it shouldn’t deter you. If you believe in what you are doing and you are passionate about it, go for it, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Network and find people on a similar journey that you are one and talk to them. Chances are you're not the first one to go through the challenges that you are facing and there are people out there that are willing to help.
I also learnt that it is important to always remember your why and what you are hoping to achieve at the end of the day and not necessarily what needs to be done. Keep your vision at the forefront of your planning because you should be focusing more on our outcome versus your output.
The sporting industry is one that I have always loved, and I was able to experience many different perspectives. I was able to learn about E-sports and its emergence in the sports industry. I was able to sit down in a room and learn how some schools currently approach physical education in their country, see what they do differently from my school and identify how we can learn and grow.
Why is it important for youth to participate in sports?
Sports can be a window of opportunity for our youth. While it can immediately be seen as something to help prevent our youth getting involved in situations such as crime and drugs, it can be a way for some to further their education. It can be a career opportunity for some who are fortunate enough to represent their country and I don’t just mean through their physical abilities. There are opportunities within sport administration, sport development, coaching, counseling and rehabilitation that are quite often forgotten about. Most of these careers can help with the development of athletes at the local level or on the world stage. Sports can be a means for survival in some cases. Being active and involved in sports plays a role in the physical well-being of our youth, and their mental health as well.
Everyone may not make it on the world stage in sports, but that doesn’t mean that our youth shouldn’t actively be participating in sport even if it is solely for leisure. Sports are meant to be fun, sports are meant to be a way of life and sports should start with our youth and never expire. Health and wellbeing shouldn’t have an age range or limit.
