Iconic sports ambassador

Jul 13, 2011 Sports

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Dear Editor,
It was by sheer coincidence I cross path with “Mr. Junior Cornette” and I would be extremely grateful for consideration for the publishing of this correspondence within your letters column.  
In my opinion, this individual is one of Guyana’s icon of a sports ambassador…2011, being the year of the CAC and Pan American Games respectively and the World Championship in Daegu, JC’s major international achievement was the bronze medal win at the 1990 CAC games in Mexico in the 200m in a time of “21.22s” followed by his participation at the 1991 Pan Am games in Cuba, 1991 Tokyo and 1993 Stuttgart World Championships which he has gained an enormous wealth of experience in the global arena.
This is also a product of the once talked about local club “Atoms” and some of his local and regional track success were at the Guystac, Guymine and Joint services games (80’s), Barry Massay games, IGG, Guyana games (80’s), Nationals, Hampton and Texaco games.  He also was a seven aside rugby player and was a member of the under-19 Football team that represented Guyana in 1985 at a competition in Canada.
Un-officially, he should still be the current 100m record holder in Guyana with a time of 10 seconds flat hand time and an IAAF accredited coach.
The following are comments he responded to from a few questions…
1. How special was that moment for you with the bronze medal win in the 200m at the 1990 CAC Mexico games?
JC: Excited…Like a child receiving his/her present at Christmas…I also felt honoured seeing the Golden Arrowhead being hoisted on my behalf for my hard work.
2. Just name a few who were extremely supportive during your quest.
JC: It was my personal determination to be the best with my abilities and great encouragement came from my mother, coach and friends.
3. Was there that one person that inspired you as one of the greats on the international scene?
JC: That was USA sprinter, Leroy Burrell.
4. What did you gain from your participation at the 1991 Tokyo and 1993 Stuttgart World championships?
JC: Everything any sports ambassador would dream of. It was a dream that became a reality attending such prestigious meet and in accomplishing such goal, one has to incorporate discipline, determination and hard work. With those, you can accomplish the world over.
5. How would you compare your era of competition to present day?
JC: It was the regular local competitions that allowed me to keep digging deeper and further with my accomplishments and I am not so sure if the current stock of athletes are exposed to enough competitions locally or regionally and whether they are totally committed to the sport.  Also, I am not fully in tune with what the coaching strategies at the moment and the relationship with clubs and the overall Sporting Body which comprises of the AAG, GOA and The Ministry of Sports.
6. How did you manage with challenges during your quest as a sports ambassador?
JC: They were just a few that was manageable and I am sure we can do a lot more in terms of sponsorship and funding for sports. However, I do appreciate whatever has been made possible to whatever extent for the sports ambassadors across the board.
7. In my opinion and hands down, I see as an icon for your accomplishments for sports and I am sure the records books can also attest to this. Have you fully accepted that status?
JC: Yes, of course. I have fully accepted that belief and there is no one who can tell me any different. I earned my accomplishments the toughest way you can imagine. That iconic status must also be shared with Mr. Wincell Thomas and the late Mr. Martin Stevenson…I am extremely grateful for all the guidance, energies and time they invested with me…In return, I can safely say that they were also proud of me.
8. Rivalries…It exists in sports…Blurt it out without me asking the question…
JC: Ok…The current President of AAG, Colin Boyce, Coach Julian Edmonds, Nigel Massiah, C. Wade, B. Thompson are to name a few who made great efforts with their challenges, but I was always the best at the end.
Colin Boyce was the major challenge more or less and yes, as much as he had wins over me, head to head I lead with more wins. I must admit that with him at the starting line, I had to even dig much deeper and maybe that is one reason I lead with more wins.
9. Just after your time as an athlete came to a close, did you see anyone who had the abilities to shine globally and can you also identify anyone at present who can produce medals at The Olympics or The world Championships?
JC: Of course…There were persons with the abilities but I felt that they were lacking determination, discipline and they were not prepared for the hard work and subsequently, they disappeared from the scene for whatever reasons.
For sometime now I have been committed to my personal projects which are very demanding and I couldn’t be following with great depth what has been happening with Track and Field…So, I am unable to identify anyone in particular at this point in time…I am sure they are persons with the abilities.
10. Leave something for sports ambassadors and the general sports fraternity to consider.
JC: No disrespect, but unless we wake up and see the direction the sun rises from, we will continue to face the same challenges and problems. Unification and respect are very important for the good of sports overall.  We will be nothing without each other and if we don’t review our approach in many areas of sports, we will not be able to become even more proud of ourselves.
I must admit that it was an honour for me having the opportunity in meeting and knowing Mr. Junior Cornette; accomplished sports ambassador and icon of Guyana. It will be selfish of me not to acknowledge the person that made the introduction and who I am now indebted to.
Junior Cornette(1990 bronze medalist at the 1990 CAC Mexico games is next to Lindford Christie (1992 Olympic 100m gold medalist) in the image attached.
T. Pemberton

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