Michael Benjamin rants: Kaieteur News special sports awards ceremony

Mar 09, 2014 Sports

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And the winner is ——tanahnah—Shem, Larry and Moe!!!

Suspense, anxiety, fear and confusion, all the ingredients that constitute a horror movie as it reaches its climax, have characterized the National Sports Awards Ceremony even as the curtains are lowered, leaving the audience confused and angry—another flop, another anti-climax and another waste of time and money going to the cinema to witness what was touted to be a blockbuster but instead evaporated into a lame Tom and Jerry cartoon with a skewed storyline and devoid of a concomitant plot.
Now, it is axiomatic that Kaieteur News has a wide circulation and is a must read for droves in Guyana and around the world. As such, it is unsurprising that most, if not all of the local sports executives resolve to have their stories printed in these pages; many have gone the extra mile and a half to ensure that their event hits ‘the next edition’ of Kaieteur News.
That must be saying something for the team of sports reporters at this august institution. Yet, not one of those individuals vested with the task of nominating the best for deliberations and eventually, selection, has found it apt to nominate any of the sports reporters of this august institution for the, once prestigious, award of eminent sports reporter.
Now, hold up, we are treading on thin ice here and least we hear the famed ‘sour grapes’ epithet, let it be understood that it is not us at this newspapers that will have to eat those sour grapes, rather it is the nation at large, the readers, the many sports associations that send their releases to us with terse notes of what would happen if these stories fail to make the next edition of Kaieteur News—- those are the stakeholders that must be fearful of the effects of such tardy and might I say, spiteful selection policies and/or handiwork.
This forum can be likened unto the Grammy Awards which is in fact a compilation of all the stars where a panel of distinguished personnel examines the work of selected individuals and pronounce on its qualities. At the aforementioned awards, the names of the many stars are rattled off as Beyonce, Boys to Men, Gloria Estefan and Lionel Richie among others, compete for the ‘Holy Grail’ and after a close tussle the winner is announced.
Now, the result might not go down well with the public but what is important here is that the contestants all dished out ‘unforgettable’ tunes that were acknowledged as competent enough to have been nominated for the top award; their inability to impress the judges may be a purely subjective issue; at least they were nominated.
Now back to the local awards——did we see a similar pattern? Were the best among the lot given an equal opportunity of clinching the prized prize?  Rhetorical questions indeed!
Really, a strong (sports) media core of journalists from all of the local entities should feel slighted that the mechanism to select the best among the lot of hard working reporters was inefficient and naturally ineffective.
At the risk of being tarred with a nepotistic brush, the sports journalists of this newspaper would venture to query the absence of such individuals as Franklin Wilson, Edison Jefford and Rawle Welch, all individuals that have clinched the award before and whose work over the preceding year had produced astounding results.
Wilson had travelled to Peru and Barbados to report on the local teams’ performances in the South American Youth Games and the Caribbean Rifle Shooting Championships as well as Australia versus the World Match.
He had reported on the exploits of our sports representatives, coupled with his militarism in rifle shooting, bodybuilding, powerlifting and cycling etcetera, etcetera, etcetera; his efforts went for naught. He might have received some consolation after being nominated as the sports photographer of the year; this deserves a huge LMAO.
Readers, do you remember the Gumendra Shewdas powerlifting episode where that athlete was honoured for his accomplishments then brought to earth after the Kaieteur News expose? The quality of work here was astounding and nudged the executives of the local entity to reality, albeit with positive results for local sports development yet Jefford, the architect of such sterling journalistic prowess failed to attract even a nomination for the top prize.
Jefford’s pen was also consistent in covering athletics, table tennis and basketball among other disciplines. Once again, in face book jargon that would have attracted 100 lols and a big LMAO.
We were told that Guyana Boxing Association President, Steve Ninvalle comprised a part of the august group that voted. He it was that had bestowed the Best Journalist award on Michael Benjamin when his executives held their prize giving ceremony late last year. Inexplicably, this esteemed President found nothing amiss that his choice failed to earn consideration at the higher level—another resounding LMAO.
Welch excelled in his coverage motor racing and football among other disciplines but yet no recognition.
Well, the smoke has cleared and the various recipients have been announced and sometime in the near future, this esteemed group of awardees will convene at someplace to receive their awards at the prize giving ceremony.
The following day, there will be a rush to the newsstands as the principals, friends, families and sports buffs buy a Kaieteur News newspaper to be properly appraised of what had transpired at that function.
Mark my words, at the ceremony, glorious words would be uttered but no one will care to mention the apathy where numerous associations refused to be a part of the sham and did not submit nominations.
No mention would be made of the fact that (woman) cricketer, Shemaine Campbelle, only got her just due after strong opposition by (Kaieteur News) Sports Editor, Claude David, who nominated her from the floor.
Few, if any, are aware of the criteria for nomination and selection and still fewer would be given an explanation for the omission of most of the top (sports) journalists up for consideration.
Well this year, there will be more surprises for you all; Kaieteur Sport will be nominating three contestants and believe me, we have no doubt that they will make the grade and when one considers the modus operandi for nomination and eventual selection, Kaieteur Sport’s choices would be considered meritorious.
Ladies and gentlemen, today we present for your consideration, Shem, Larry and Moe——all in favour say ‘aye.’

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