Calling on the AAG, GOA to reconsider

Jul 06, 2008 Sports

Mr. Sports Editor,
When the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) awarded places for two athletes to participate in the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games, which is planned for October 12 – 18 in Pune, India, was quite an exciting and exhilarating feeling for me and moreover Guyana as a sports enthusiast.

In the Stabroek News of June 8 on Pg 30, the article “AAG gives up chance to send athletes to Junior Commonwealth”. As is determine by Mr. Juman Yassin President of GOA, there was a consensus among
the three local sports organisation of affording the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) the opportunity of sending their athletes to the games along with table tennis and boxing participants.

Paragraph 3 said: “We had originally scheduled track and field, boxing and table tennis – track and field had two (places allocated to athletes) table tennis had three and boxing had three”. But as of now the two places allocated for athletes have now been obliterated thus being given to boxing and table tennis.

How ridiculous? How sad? How painful? How inhuman? How uncaring? How distantly unconcerned? How un-contributing on the part of the Athletic Association of Guyana who seems infected with immorality towards their own to represent, in the main that organisation and more over Guyana, at the games.

“Lack of funds” was the incessant and ludicrous cry. Paragraph 4 stated: “…at the preliminary meetings it was indicated to associations that the GOA would be responsible for the expenses for the athletes but the respective associations would have to bear cost of manager and or official”.

It stated further, that an agreement of this nature was accepted that all three associations would stand their ground; it was shocking to learn that the AAG citing other international competitions stood aloof from bearing the financial cost for the official. This to the athletes and the governing body is openly and lucidly a ridiculous and frivolous excuse.

The question is, does the AAG have a vested interest in athletics in Guyana or is it because the opportunity has not presented itself of having those who favour themselves selectable to make the trip ineligible?

Previously Athletic Associations have sent liaison officials from other countries to represent athletes. The Guyana Olympic Association has selected Dr. Karen Pilgrim – Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) representative as Chief – De-mission. Dr. Pilgrim is thoroughly qualified for that position and would prove well enough to oversee our athletes if she was presented with that responsibility. The GOA in conjunction with the AAG should at this juncture take cognizance of this appeal.

Mr. Juman Yassin, President of the Guyana Olympic Association, so caring and meaningful in preserving, developing and supporting athletes and other sports in Guyana, is giving Alika Morgan and Jerome Williams the opportunity of a lifetime. He wants them to attend the games.

But quite to the contrary, president of the Athletics Association of Guyana Mr. Claude Blackmore seems quite adamant, distant and unsupportive of having this fractured decision amended. One should assume or postulate whether Mr. Claude Blackmore after 28 years with the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) seems to be feigning tiresomeness, disgust or frustration and should resign if the work load is too fatiguing on him. Mr. Blackmore should be honest with his conscience for we have no windows to see into it.

Depravity sums it up all. The golden opportunities of an athlete are short. They should “never” or “even” be allowed to languish in their reservoir of pessimism or frustration. There competitiveness is the zenith of hope, victory and glory: not failing but being denied to compete becomes the nadir or their hopes.

Does Guyana want to reflect or be reminiscent of the Burnham era 1976 Montreal Olympics: 31 Guyanese of top Olympic prominence being withdrawn from “qualified” participation after their arrival of the Olympic Stadium Montreal, Canada.

The result was the destruction of Caribbean and Commonwealth Champions June Griffith now June Griffith Collison, James Wren Gilkes and the lethal death of Cleveland Denny (boxer).

Is the Athletic Association in Guyana there to encourage or discourage athletes? As of now I ask both the GOA and the AAG to do reconsider your positions towards the two athletes. It is a lifetime opportunity.

Melissa Peters

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Calling on the AAG, GOA to reconsider

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