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Morgan was belatedly informed of selection
– Coach calls replacement “shameful”
By Edison Jefford
Leslie Black, Coach of distance-runner, Alika Morgan, informed Kaieteur Sport yesterday that the athlete was belatedly informed of her selection to compete at the South American Games in Chile early next month while calling her
Leslie Black
replacement “shameful”.
Black said that despite the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) sending the list for nominations almost three months ago, and the other athletes being duly informed since last year, Morgan was only made aware that she will be going to Chile two weeks ago.
The Coach sought to clear the air on the matter that has also prompted the GOA to warn AAG of the consequences of the mishap. Morgan was forced to withdraw from the team because she was inadequately prepared for grass competition, Black indicated.
“The head of the association (AAG) should not feel like the association is his own; the rest of the committee should know of things like selection,” Black said, adding that it was only on February 8 at a Council meeting that he was informed of the selection.
When pressed, he stated that the AAG President, Aubrey Hutson, told him that it was an “on-the-spot decision” that the association had to make because the GOA was “on their back for athletes for the Games, so he gave them (GOA) a priority list.”
“I was not there when the shortlist was done as a committee member, neither was I told that they have shortlisted Alika,” Black said, adding that his athletes do not go overseas on trips, but rather to compete and hopefully return creditable performances.
“When I asked around, all the other athletes were informed since last year that they were listed to compete at the South American Games, but Alika was not informed,” he continued, adding that it was necessary for him to clarify the matter because it could be interpreted as Morgan pulling out of a meet after being informed months ago. He said that was not the case.
The GOA, at the AAG Awards Ceremony Saturday night, chided the association for the ticketing and other confusion such withdrawals could create. The association replaced Morgan with Alisha Fortune, who is in the twilight of her career and has been out of competition.
Black informed that Fortune was never the choice of the AAG Council. He said that they decided that any replacement for Morgan would have been field events queen, Natasha Alder, but he saw a public announcement that says Fortune is going instead.
Alika Morgan
“We never picked Fortune. We said Alder would replace Morgan, now we are seeing Fortune; it is shameful,” Black said, adding that the Council had also named Leslain Baird ahead of Wayne Harlequin, but when the team was published they saw Harlequin.
“I’m telling you this because I don’t want the AAG to continue blaming GOA and Morgan,” he said, adding “Hutson must admit his mistakes and stop casting blame”. Black said that Hutson is aware of exactly what transpired with the whole selection issue.
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