Santa Claus has distributed all his gifts and returned to Lapland for a deserved rest before Christmas fever strikes again next winter. While children and adults alike brag about the countless presents they received, national federations and associations are still waiting for the Malta Olympic Committee to dress in a Santa outfit and sprinkle some funds into their cash-strapped coffers.
In recent years, many small federations have come to rely solely on the MOC as their main benefactor. With more national associations affiliated, it is becoming increasingly difficult to cut the cake into enough slices to at least ensure that all parties involved receive some sort of funding.
As things stand, many federations receive next to a paltry sum which however helps them to ease their administrative expenses.
The MOC has grappled to come up with a formula that would please everybody but with limited funds, priorities have to be established and adhered to.
It has long been an open secret that Malta's priority remains the GSSE which are held every two years. This is where our athletes compete on a more or less even playing ground even though the Cypriots and Icelandic athletes have long stood out as having a competitive edge over all the other minnow states.
With ten federations set to compete at each edition of the GSSE, it stands to reason that these benefit from the bulk of the funding.
Associations have to enter into a formal contract with the MOC which clearly stipulates how the money has to be spent and during which time-frames. Most federations use part of these funds to finance the services of full-time foreign coaches who are engaged some months prior to the Games to ensure that athletes peak at the right time.
In addition, associations are requested to ensure that in the case of individual events, athletes obtain strict minimum qualifying standards (MQSs) to earn them the right to compete in the GSSE.
In the case of team sports, such as basketball and volleyball, the expenses involved are exorbitant. Sending a squad to nearby Sicily is enough to drain the coffers of an association.
Throughout the years, our associations and federations have learnt how to be parasites to cling on to their survival. Many sporting disciplines have established excellent ties with their Sicilian counterparts to the benefit of both parties. If some of our national federations can cut down costs by resorting to their relationship management skills, so much the better. Being an island, our only decent way of travelling is by air with its spiralling costs.
There is a limit to the amount of funding that the MOC can distribute. Those who do not form part of the GSSE may argue that they are being left out in the cold. In reality, those federations that are earmarked to compete at other high level games such as the Mediterranean or Commonwealth Games also benefit from a healthy slice of the cake during the year of competition.
Still, with pleas for the introduction of a sports lottery falling on deaf ears, federations have to identify other means of luring sponsorships to improve their income. Some have taken the bold step of taking bank loans in order to develop their headquarters and ensure that athletes benefit from better facilities.
Federations argue that sponsorship agreements are hard to strike and perhaps they are right. Our cardinal miscalculation in the equation is the trend to chase five or six big fish for the lolly. Perhaps, medium or smaller sized fish would be more readily available to budget smaller amounts for the good of sport.
Magazine proposal
The MOC is hoping to be a catalyst in this process by proposing projects that can be conducted in close collaboration with federations.
One such tangible project is the publishing of a magazine which will feature different sport. Obviously, federations will have to pool in their efforts by sending adequate write-ups and respecting deadlines.
To this effect, a questionnaire has been sent to all national federations asking for feedback on the matter.
Unfortunately, response rate has been rather poor with only 30 per cent of questionnaires returned. Now, if this is the kind of drive that federations display, it is no wonder that most of them struggle to make ends meet financially.
The questionnaire was meant to assess the opinion of the stakeholders to be involved in the venture and how this project could eventually yield some profit.
Fostering collaboration may well be the key to success. If some federations get together and toy with some good ideas, chances are that they will manage a venture that will yield them profit which can be re-invested in the development of their talent.
The MOC may have set the goalposts by requesting associations to submit annual financial and training programmes. This has been the first step in channelling associations to draw up long-term plans. As the body that encompasses all national sport, the MOC is there to lead the way. Success can only be achieved if all parties are genuinely willing to push a venture and implement it.
Sometimes, I wonder why we revel in shooting dead the goose that lays the golden egg. Any other comment would be superfluous!