Despite years characterised by valiant attempts and ignominious retreats, athletes out of Guyana have failed to procure that elusive gold medal at the Olympic Games. Despite such shortcomings, our beloved country has always been regarded as a great athletic nation. Our closest shave at procuring such excellence was at the 1980 Moscow Olympics when, bantamweight pugilist, Michael Anthony Parris procured a bronze medal, a feat that remains unchallenged 43, yes 43 long years ago.
There is that presumption that the troops are as good as their platoon leader. Based on this view one assumes that the failure of the athlete must also be attributed to the lax, or lack of managerial skills of his/her leader. Over the years, many notable figures have sat at the helm of the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG).
Many of them have passed on to the great beyond yet their works and policies continue to resonate (whether positively or otherwise) on the development of local athletes. Some of those past stalwarts are, but certainly not limited to, the late Attorney-at-Law, Martin Stephenson, Superintendent of Police, Colin Boyce, Gem Fletcher, and Claude Blackmore, all former AAG Presidents, and current President, Aubrey Hutson.
Recently, officials of the AAG have shortlisted 18 athletes for possible selection for this year’s edition of the CARIFTA Games, set for April 7-10 in the Bahamas. We were informed that eight of those athletes have essentially booked their tickets to the Games after meeting the qualifying standards for the Championships. Those athletes are Ezekiel Newton (100m & 200m), Tianna Springer (200m & 400m), Malachi Austin (400m), Athaley Hinckson (12.06s), Attoya Harvey (3000m), Javon Roberts (800m), Tamera Harvey (long jump), and Ezekiel Saul (triple jump).
While this composition seemed to have found favour with a vast majority of the executives, there seems to be contention in other quarters. One such person is Andy Medas King, a Guyanese and ardent supporter of the sport, residing in the USA. Mr. King spoke with a representative of ‘Village Voice’ saying that he is extremely disappointed by the laxity of the AAG in fostering a path for Guyanese athletes. “There seems to be an aura of success among the athletes but the reality contradicts the widespread beliefs,” states Medas King. He said that many athletes complain of stifled advancement under AAG officials “with nefarious agendas.”
“Guyana has talented athletes but their progress is deliberately hindered by those in charge of their affairs,” he asserts. He refrained from specifics but pointed out that athletes from other countries that excel at the Carifta Games, predominantly Jamaicans, are offered scholarships at colleges or universities in North America. “Our athletes are denied these opportunities, not for the lack of competence but more from lackluster or laissez-faire approaches of AAG officials,” he explained.
As a reference, King juxtaposed the fortunes of local athletes with those of their foreign counterparts. “One of our locals, Kadecia Baird, defeated the famed Bahamian, Shauna Miller Ubio, at the World Youth Championships but look at the quality of her life and the opportunities she’s managed to procure in comparison with Ubio,” Medas King pointed out. According to the athletic specialist, “Ubio has since secured many lucrative endorsements from major international companies and is now a millionaire while her career has progressed remarkably.
Contrastingly, Baird has had to struggle in her career and cannot boast of similar financial fortunes. He said that the same can be said of Compton Caesar, another Guyanese athlete that had won Gold at the Carifta Games in the 100 meters dash as well as a similar accolade in the South American Games, “Several of the athletes among whom he competed went on to much higher levels and prosperity but what does he have to show?” Medas rhetorically quizzed.
The athletic enthusiast is adamant that local athletes are capable of winning prestigious accolades once given a chance. He is appealing to the officials of the AAG to demonstrate impartiality in their policies and actions. Medas committed to rendering unselfish assistance to deserving athletes and said that he is action-oriented and not of empty rhetoric. Presently, there are several Guyanese athletes operating out of Jamaica and making steady headway compliments of his intervention. These include Gabriel Lim, Omari Walcott, Ceon Booker, Troy Oxford, and Chereissa December. “My institution, KMPA Foundation, has been instrumental in rendering the requisite support and will continue in this vein since we recognize immense potential among our stalwarts,” said Medas.
In the meantime, he is pleading with the powers within the AAG to put their house in order with more meaningful emphasis on the affairs of their charges. “There are many issues that need addressing but as a start, I would urge Mr. Hutson and his other executives to produce regular financial statements and be accountable for the donations given by various entities and organizations. Medas believes that while the issues and problems are more broad-based, the aforementioned is a first step toward the rehabilitative process.
