Intended stint in Jamaica for Morgan did not pan out - Yassin

Intended stint in Jamaica for Morgan did not pan out – Yassin

Mar 04, 2009 Sports

By Rawle Welch

Athletic Coach Leslie Black, under whose guidance leading female distance runner Alika Morgan has honed her skills in an invited comment with Kaieteur Sport yesterday, said that no further information pertaining to her proposed stint in Jamaica has been forthcoming from the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA).

Recent GOA awardees (from left) Kaieteur News Franklin Wilson and Alika Morgan along with Michael Parris and Leslie Black.

Black was referring to a release made by GOA President K.A Juman Yassin when he disclosed to the media last month that he had held discussions with Jamaica Athletic Association Head Teddy McCook on the possibility of Morgan travelling to the island to undergo training at the IAAF High Performance Centre as well as participate in races.

According to Black, the only information he has received from Yassin since that disclosure was made was that one of the races she was earmarked to compete in had been cancelled.

“I can safely say that no word pertaining to her stint at the Centre has been forthcoming from the GOA since,” Black told Kaieteur Sport.

The Coach added that even if one of the races was cancelled, he felt that efforts to expose her to a higher level of competition should still continue.

“With the Caribbean Games just a few months away and the very likelihood of her coming up against many of those she probably would have faced in Jamaica during the period it is important that she gets the necessary high level exposure that could enhance her preparations.”

Morgan, who is based locally, stands an excellent chance of gaining a medal for Guyana, but that will depend on the opportunities that are provided for her.

With the Organisers setting stringent qualifying times, and with no serious opposition posed to her at home, it is imperative that she competes against much tougher opponents to whip her into the best shape possible for her to stand a chance of medalling.

Meanwhile, Yassin when contacted via telephone for a comment yesterday told this newspaper that the intended stint did not “pan out” meaning that the deal fell through.

The GOA President disclosed that he is scheduled to leave the country today to attend a PASO Executive Meeting in Mexico and will be seeking opportunities for Morgan during his stay.

He added that he regretted the opportunity did not materialise, but will continue to look for such in the future.

The GOA boss had expressed disappointment in an article appearing in this newspaper that questioned the efficiency of his executives. He said that the writer of the article had accused the GOA of laxity pertaining to the creation of opportunities for local athletes. “I think it is unfair to make these kinds of remarks without firstly attempting to speak with us,” Yassin said. We have been working assiduously, but we cannot make releases until all arrangements are in place,” he noted.

He subsequently informed the media that he had held discussions with McCook about the possibility of Morgan training on the island. Perhaps, the release was made prematurely.