The future of artists and sportsmen is often gloomy in underdeveloped countries. World champions Benson Masya and Paul Kipkoech both died without a dime in time-worn Kenyan bush hospitals at the age of 33, though they had lavished their country with great honours a couple of years earlier. Henry Rono, another Kenyan hero who broke four world records in 1978, found himself in a homeless shelter in the 1990s probably because he mismanaged his earnings. Fortunately enough, he managed to put things right and is now working as a sports coach in New Mexico.

Similarly singers, dancers and entertainment crews who so marvellously entertain hundreds of thousands of tourists in our resorts often do not enjoy the necessary support which would help them manage their earnings and prepare for an eventual reconversion. The wretched condition of an ex sega queen, exposed recently in a local newspaper, illustrates the destiny of some academically poor yet culturally rich persons.

In developed countries, however artists and sportsmen generally can anticipate a successful reconversion at the end of their careers. The fame they have acquired in their short-lived career is simply made ageless through effective reconversion instead of being thrown to the garbage of history.

Mauritius, a melting pot of culture and traditions, not only thrives in the academic field but also in art, culture and sports. We sometimes fail to realise the exceptional contribution of athletes like Buckland, Milazar, Casquette, Fournier and Chimier to mention but a few in the recognition of our tiny island at international levels. Unfortunately, owing to the perception of an uncertain future in the arts and sports, many an icon-to-be does not devote him or herself to these fields or even embrace them.

An attitude change is required. Sports and arts should be given their right value because they are as much an asset to a country as is the academic field. Great sports and arts academies could be a reality in our country. These would not only open prospects for gifted individuals but also for managing teams, which would guide those heroes in their careers, exporting their competences and ensuring their reconversion in due time amongst others.

Sports and arts should be perceived as an option in career choice and it’s only at the price of even more courageous measures, which would underpin trust, that our country will continue to soar in these fields. Meanwhile we can take some individual yet vital measures like not buying pirated copies, as in doing so, we are stealing our artists living.

<B>Alain JEANNOT</B>