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‘Sportswoman’ expresses disappointment over CARIFTA travel imbroglio
By Edison Jefford
False hope and jaded optimism pervaded yesterday in the camp of the Sportswoman of the Year, Cassie
Cassie George
George, who along with her Coach, Moses Pantlitz, expressed their disappointment over a travel imbroglio that left the CARIFTA Games team grounded in Guyana.
While expressing faint hope that the locally-based athletes will still be able to somehow compete in the 2015 CARIFTA Games in St. Kitts and Nevis this weekend, Pantlitz indicated that he does not know where things went wrong but he is disappointed.
“We know it’s a bit ticklish; it’s not the best situation, but we can still get in Good Friday (today) for the opening ceremony. I’m still waiting on a call from them (Athletic Association of Guyana) but I feel disappointed as a Coach,” Pantlitz told Kaieteur Sport.
Pantlitz is the Coach of Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School, which is registered as a club in Guyana. One of Guyana’s most successful CARIFTA Games athletes, George trains in Pantlitz’s club. Long and tipple jumper, Chantoba Bright, who is also on the 2015 team, is a member of the Linden-based club as well.
President of the Athletic Association of Guyana, Aubrey Hutson confirmed on Wednesday that 11 locally-based athletes bound for the meet will have to remain at home unless they source US $20,000 to charter an aircraft to get them to St. Kitts.
At the time of our communication with Pantlitz yesterday afternoon, he said he was still awaiting a call “to hear what is up”. “I believe things can change. We are accustomed to all these things, it is just the way
Moses Pantlitz
things are,” the Coach said.
“Personally, as a Coach I feel a way, I don’t know what was wrong, but this (the situation) is not good for the athletes at all. It is tough: some people were going to make their mark and some are defending champions, so it’s really tough,” Pantlitz said.
He was referring to the fact that some of the athletes named among the 11, who are locally-based were headed to the Games for the very first time. Meanwhile, others like George were defending titles they won last year in Martinique.
George won 1500m gold and 800m silver as a 14-year-old Under-17 athlete in 2013 in Bahamas. George returned last year to put in a double gold medal performance in the same age group when she landed gold medals in the 1500m and 3000m events.
George spoke with Kaieteur Sport yesterday and disappointment echoed through the telephone in an abysmal tone. “I feel really bad about the whole situation. This year I was going to break both the 800m and 1500m records. I am really disappointed,” she said.
“This is the most prestigious junior meet in the Caribbean. I should have been there already to be able to defend my titles. At present, I am still hoping that I can go. They should consider sending me to defend my titles at least,” George pleaded yesterday.
But up until Kaieteur News press time last evening, there was no firm word that a miracle would yield the answer to George’s prayer. Hutson said on Wednesday that he will consider sending the full team to the South American Junior Championships.
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