PROGRAMMING - a Science or an Art ?
For the second time in a week, receiving a programme late has seriously affected organisation, preparation, and performance ! Can this be put down to "Kiribati Time", or "Pacific Time" ? No, that is only an excuse for lack of adequate consultation and communication early enough ! Suffice to say that receiving a programme at MIDNIGHT the night before a 7.00 a.m. start to Day 1 of a competition does not exactly give anyone hours to peruse, question, and resolve any difficulties !!! This is what happened last Wednesday with the programme for the Inter-School 2007. Partly as a result, there was a two hour delay to the start, and then other problems were compounded by this !
For the celebration of the 28th. Anniversary of Kiribati Independence, weeks ago a number of time requests were submitted by KAA to the Independence Sports Sub-Committee so that we could know what could be fitted into the whole Independence programme. In spite of subsequent enquiries, there was no further news until a "DRAFT" programme materialised the same evening as example 1. above, i.e. Weds. July 4th. This gave us two time-slots (out of the four requested). So far, so good. At least we knew. Or did we ? The two periods allocated were both afternoon sessions, starting at 2.00 p.m. on Friday (tomorrow) and Saturday. There was NOTHING on that version of the programme about "President's Sprints" today. Thus during the Inter-School Championships on Thursday and Friday, reference was only made (by announcement) to these two sessions.
BUT THINGS CHANGE !
During those two days and the weekend, a number of things happened. The Independence Day Sprints were ADDED to the programme !!! Thanks very much, but too late to contact the athletes ! Also a schedule of events was approved by KAA for the allocated sessions. On Monday, this was distributed to newspapers, radio, and the Sports Sub-Committee. On receiving his copy, the Chair queried the absence of the Sprints ! (As far as we knew, there were no sprints !) A NEW version of the programme had included them, so now we had to contact at least twelve scattered athletes (six boys and six girls) !
BUT NO RESULTS !
Having tried to track down the Inter-School (KISSAC) results on Saturday morning, I arranged a meeting for Monday morning with the statistician. He did not show ! So on Tuesday morning, I found him. That afternoon, I received an envelope with SOME results. So, armed with these times, when it became necessary on Tuesday night to find the best athletes, it had become a little more possible. Early on Wednesday morning (yesterday), I took the list to the Sub-Committee Chair and asked that it be broadcast. We also left a few messages around for some of the athletes required.
AND SO ON THE DAY....
Nothing ! Out of sixteen named athletes, only one male showed up equipped to run. So we cancelled ! Now, you might say that was the right thing to do (not thinking about the prize of which this boy was deprived !) But any way round, it did KAA no favours. The fact that a private apology and acceptance of responsibility were received from the Sub-Committee does not improve appearances ! It will reflect badly on our organisation as a "disorganisation" ! One step forward, two steps back !
Last Modified on 15/07/2007 14:10