In this interview, Brian Lewis, the past president of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC), shares his commitment to sports volunteerism, background, and passion for fostering gender equality and empowering women in sports. He explains how he has never been financially compensated for his decades-long involvement in sports, emphasizing his commitment to improving the sector.
Lewis discusses the importance of bridging the gap between governance and management in sports and acknowledges the challenges that volunteer leaders face, such as burnout and the difficulty of effecting change within a culture that sees sports as recreational rather than essential. He highlights the need for cultural change, advocating for sports to be viewed as an investment in youth, rather than just a hobby. His ideal transformation would integrate physical education within the educational system, supported by trained PE teachers, as seen in Jamaica, to build a healthier, socially adjusted population.
A significant part of his legacy is the “Future is Female” initiative, inspired by his mother and dedicated to promoting gender equality. This program aims to increase female representation in sports leadership and support for female athletes.
Addressing Trinidad and Tobago’s Olympic prospects, Lewis stresses the long-term effort required to produce elite athletes and the impact of challenges like crime, the COVID-19 pandemic, and societal attitudes toward sports on youth participation. He believes in the need for better community-based talent development systems and innovative support to retain young people in sports. For sustained progress, he emphasizes the importance of setting ambitious goals, such as TTOC’s “10 Goals.
Dennise Demming 