Gold medallist Straker returns to low-keyed welcome

Apr 11, 2010 Sports

By Rawle Welch
Two-time Junior Carifta Games 1500 metres Gold Medallist Jevina Straker returned home early Wednesday morning from the Cayman Islands to a low-keyed welcome, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
Straker, who was the only medallist on the team, told Kaieteur Sport that she was met on arrival by Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) executive member Lyndon Wilson, but lamented the fact that no official from the Sport Ministry was on hand to congratulate her on such a significant achievement nor was any direct contact made to her by the hierarchy of the Association since her arrival back home.
The junior standout athlete said that after she reached the finish line ahead of everyone else she was extremely overjoyed and excited about successfully defending her regional title.
According to Straker, however, that earlier feeling dissolved after no contact could be made with her mother or coach due to restrictions from the team’s management.
“Since my arrival back home I haven’t received a single call from any other member of the AAG except for a message relayed by Coach / Manager/ Chaperone Mark Scott, who told her that the President had sent a message congratulating her on her success,” Straker said.
The young budding middle distance runner, who is currently preparing to sit eight subjects at this year’s CXC, revealed that she would like to join the illustrious company of Cleveland Forde and Vishwanath Sukmangal who both were also multiple winners at the Games.
She also competed in the 800 metres where she placed ninth after being stricken with severe fever the day before the event.
Straker, who had made the 800 metres qualifying time last year, but was later, deemed ineligible to participate, though not attempting to make any excuse for her poor performance in the race, felt that perhaps a word of encouragement from her mother who is very close and supportive of her athletic career and Coach Leslie Black might have provided the necessary boost for her to do better.
“The day before the race I had fever and I wasn’t feeling one hundred per cent fit and that could have been the reason for the slow time,” she disclosed.
Straker clocked a disappointing 2:25.00 which was way below the 2:14.00 she recorded to qualify for the World Juniors last year.
Describing the gold medal race, the lanky runner said that she decided to stay just behind the two Jamaicans who she reckoned were the strongest in the field and that was the order until the 300 metres mark when they picked up the pace.
She added that at no time did she panic and waited until they were about 150 metres from home when she made her move and engaged in a keen tussle with the two and an athlete from the Netherlands Antilles, but held on to win the top podium spot.
Meanwhile, Black, who accompanied his charge for the interview was also in criticism mode, pointing directly at the AAG for its stance in not allowing any contact with the athletes. “I think we have to show more love and respect for our athletes and being a member of the AAG executive I do not believe that we are doing enough to encourage them to strive to achieve better results,” he stated.
Black, one of the most successful distance coaches locally called for more respect to be shown to him for his achievements which is unrivalled in Guyana.
“Athletes such as Forde, Kelvin Johnson, Reona Cornette, Delcie Dick, Janella Jonas, Alika Morgan and now Straker, the most successful middle and long distance runners have come out of my stable and yet I struggle to gain selection to Coach touring teams,” Black mentioned.
He reminded that Guyana’s best results overseas have been garnered from middle and long distance athletes, but yet according to him Straker was listed third on the priority list, behind Tiffany Carto and Chavez Ajeday.
How could that be he questioned, especially when she is a defending champion and Guyana’s best chances rest in the distance events.
“Nothing is impossible, but to put sprinters ahead of her at a Regional Games that is being attended by the Jamaicans is totally absurd and blind unless there are other motives,” Black reasoned.
Kaieteur Sport would also like to extend congratulations to swimmer Jessica Stephenson, who won two golds and a silver medal.

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Gold medallist Straker returns to low-keyed welcome

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