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A perfect opportunity was missed for our athletes to socialize with their peers
DEAR EDITOR,
I would like to express thanks to the department of education of Region One for affording me the opportunity to accompany the swimming team as coach at this year’s National Schools’ Championships held at the National Aquatic Centre.
The athletes performed to the best of their ability and are very proud of their achievement in competing against some of Guyana’s most talented and best swimmers in the various age categories. For some, it was a first time experience and a very challenging one too, as the results would show. However, it was very sad and disappointing when the athletes were told that they had to travel back to the region the very next day (Tuesday) after a hard and gruelling day in the pool.
The children were crestfallen and rightly so, for it is at events like these that students of the interior communities have a chance of a lifetime to socialize with their peers, have fun, and above all, witness the cream of Guyana’s future athletes and stars compete for supremacy.
The team manager was contacted for reasons for such an unfair and unconscionable decision towards the swimming team. The answer was that the budget catered for the swimmers to return to the region the next day after the swim meet. Other officials were contacted and strong pleas were made for the team to remain for the rest of the championships, but the decision remained unchanged.
Last year this same scenario and nonsense occurred, and officials were advised to budget so that the swimming team could remain until the end of the championships. This seems to have fallen on deaf ears for 2018. The athletes (swimmers) of region one deserve better treatment, as they are our young ambassadors in sports, who gave it their all for the sake of themselves and more so for the region.
This is a blatant disregard to these athletes of our region and it should not be allowed to continue in the future. The learned planners must realize that they owe it to these children for shattering their social and emotional well-being, which will not be repaired in a hurry. I saw tears from team members on our way travelling back, but words of encouragement that there may be improvements for next year, was a bit of consolation. The swimming team is hurting from the treatment meted out to them at such a prestigious event.
In region one, millions of taxpayers’ dollars were overpaid to contractor(s) for works (sometimes sub-standard and incomplete) which are not beneficial to the region. Would twenty-two athletes accumulate one million dollars for a proper and nutritious breakfast, lunch and dinner for one week? As one of my good friends would say “I doubt duh”.
I doubt that the other districts sent back their athletes to their respective regions the day after the swimming. They are with their team giving support to their athletes cheering them on in their events. Being present and witnessing the national championships will definitely motivate these athletes to be more participative.
This is what the swimmers of region one were deprived of and this is unforgivable. This is not the best practice in sports. This is neither social cohesion as it relates to a team, it is just the opposite and must discontinue. I am calling on the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Teachers’ Union to see and ensure that there is not a repetition of the treatment experienced by the swimmers of Region One.
I am also recommending that workshops be held in Sports Psychology for persons who are designated to handle sports in the region.
Our planners need to be more organized and knowledgeable about sports and the welfare of athletes. I have no bones to crush with anyone, but this is the ‘marrow’ of the matter.
Let’s get real!
Steve La Rose
Swimming Coach
Silver Gliders Sports Club
Moruca,
Region One
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