A NATIONAL AWARD
HIS ONLY REWARD
By Ian Prescott
Independent
October 6, 2000
Page 28
"I
did my part; I got my reward."
Francis
Rivas, who was awarded the Medal of Merit (silver) for outstanding and
meritorious service to Trinidad and Tobago in the sphere of sport on
Independence Day, has been involved in sports administration for 33 years.
Humble
and unassuming, he sees the 38th anniversary Independence Day award
as great reward.
Recognition
came through his involvement with youth.
Rivas
has run a schoolgirls cricket league since 1978 and having recognised the
contribution it made to their students, teachers of St Joseph Convent nominated
him. His nomination was supported by
the parent of a student who played in the Francis Rivas Girls' Cricket League. Rivas' involvement with sport began in 1967 when he established an
Under-15 boys' football competition at Queen's Park Savannah. The following year, he established the
Francis Rivas Football League - one of the first Minor Leagues in the country
and the one for which he is renowned.
He
was also founder of the first women's windball cricket league in Trinidad and
Tobago in 1978. Taking a cue from him,
several other competitions sprung up throughout the country. Ironically, they got all the financial backing,
enabling them to survive.
"Most
of the times it was just me and a few friends.
A few companies would contribute trophies but generally we got little
help," he laments.
For
this reason he has had to narrow his scope over the past few years to schoolgirls'
cricket and a one-day Over-35 football competition. He had got involved in administration, after playing a little
football himself, because of his concern for the youth.
"I
wanted to help out youngsters so that they would have something to do. My involvement, though, was mostly for the
love of the sport. I get nothing for
myself."
But
at 63, Rivas is no longer sure he can continue to serve. No one might after having put out so much
with so little and for so little in return.
Much
of his working life was spent as a messenger at Balisier House, but with the
coming of the NAR Government in 1986 he found himself retrenched and on the
breadline.
Through
the help of a friend, he secured a similar position at the Caribbean Building
and Loans Association, but having served the youth of this country well, in his
private time, Rivas' personal situation has been less than ideal. Most of his family are abroad, he is
basically homeless and has been forced to stay at the Salvation Army Men's
Hostel until better can be done.
He remains
contented and especially pleased with the scroll he received. Still, he confesses to having thought of
giving it up several times but has always been swayed by sportsmen who look
forward to his competitions.
Rivas
has also tried to pass on what he started to others but has always found that
those who were interested were unprepared to work so hard for such little
reward.
Eventually
it fell back to him to resume the work.
"I
don't think I will go on much more, though," he says. "Maybe a year again with the girls' cricket,
but then that is it."