Moves to assist Wilson commendable, but suspicious

Jan 30, 2011 Sports

By Rawle Welch
The recent upsurge in articles surrounding new found distance athlete Doretta Wilson has raised eyebrows and many observers are asking where were the National Sports Commission (NSC), Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Ministry of Sport and the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) all this time.
Suddenly there is plenty of talk about offering assistance to this athlete and even though those organisations who’ve pledged support have a right to do so, many are questioning the sincerity or whether it’s another act of deception.
When it is considered that international athlete Aliann Pompey’s achievements were not recognised in any tangible way by some of the same parties and now to hear about all the promises of help for an athlete who’ve yet to make her mark regionally or internationally you can’t help but wonder what was the motivation for such solitary identification unless the two victories she has over double Junior Carifta Games gold medallist Jevina Straker was the inspiration.
Where were the NSC, Ministry of Sport and the AAG when Alika Morgan became the only athlete in Guyana’s history to cop both the junior and senior national awards in 2009?
There are many other athletes who’ve shown similar commitment and dedication in addition to outstanding results locally, regionally and internationally, but have never been given comparable acknowledgment by those same institutions so this recent development must be taken with guarded optimism.
Then there is the consistent talk about her two victories over Straker, who once again must be commended for her two famous performances at the premier Caribbean Games for junior athletes.
Wilson’s celebrated victories over double gold medallist Straker augurs well for the future of the sport in Guyana, especially when it is repeatedly highlighted in the media and in the corridors of Parliament.
Had it not been for Straker’s Junior Carifta’s heroics would the entire Guyana know of Doretta Wilson?
This young rising star has been selected on the Guyana team to participate in the North America, Central America and Caribbean Cross Country race and will get another opportunity to display her true talent.
She is no doubt a strong and talented runner and deserves all the support she can get, but there are many more that are just as deserving of such, but to date have not been given that much needed assistance.
Such an uncaring stance by the relevant stakeholders could only serve to foster division among athletes and create unhelpful gossip.
The truth is that almost all our athletes come from poor homes and could barely afford to equip themselves with the proper gears to remain engaged in the sport or even produce their best performances so the offer of assistance must not be selective, but rather all inclusive.
One could never read about Usain Bolt, Veronica Campbell Brown or Osafa Powell identifying a single athlete to give assistance to. They always make a presentation that benefit a majority and that is why they are so united whenever they go to represent their country.
Doretta Wilson is not being blamed in this instance, she is not responsible for what is going on, but is just an innocent bystander that is being used for cheap mileage.
There is no doubt that sport remains the sole conduit to unify us in Guyana, but to use it indecently for a few benefit to will not achieve the intended purpose.
Such behavior used to be classified as petty, but with so much at stake nowadays it is only prudent that it be highlighted with the intent to eradicate it.

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Moves to assist Wilson commendable, but suspicious

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