Dear Editor,
A few nights ago I listened attentively to President Jagdeo as he delivered the feature address at the NSC awards ceremony. He stressed the shortcomings in the sport sector and duly identified some pluses.
I reside at Melanie on the ECD, and drive past the Happy Acres-Montrose area on a daily basis. Starting about a year-and-a-half ago I witnessed on a daily basis a pint-sized man who would burst out with a sudden speed covering a distance of a 100-150m heading to the Rupert Craig Highway. Curious to know who the guy really was, I related this to an old apprentice buddy. He said to me, “Shep, that’s Pooran Kataballi.” This morning as I drove past the guy once more, I shouted, “Pooran,” and he answered to his name.
Immediately my mind went right back to 1994 when I was a second-year apprentice at GuySuCo Training Centre, and a middle distance athlete. I competed that year in the 3000m flat competing against a close pal and fierce rival, both sports-wise and academically – Mr Wrigon ‘Butto’ Wright, who is now a lecturer at GITC. I outsprinted Mr Wright in that event. He was blue for in excess of two weeks because he did not like to lose. I went on represent the Training Centre at that event the same year at the Blairmont Community Centre ground. At the starting line-up was myself, Steven ‘Engine’ Jacobs, Hooper from Albion, Pooran and Drepaul Kataballi, and some others from the eight grinding estates in Guyana. We were soundly thrashed by the Kataballi brothers, with Pooran, the more illustrious of the two, winning the event. My point is that this illustrious middle distance runner is now destitute, roams the road half naked and appears to be of unsound mind. Mr Alfred King the PS at the Ministry of Sport uses the same route on a daily basis and surely he must have encountered Mr Kataballi. It’s a shame and a travesty to pass one of our country’s better athletes begging for bread and our sports ministry boasts daily about the allocation of funds.
I am a diehard West Indian supporter and pay keen attention whereever they play. Arnos Vale playing field in St Vincent and the Grenadines comes to mind. The commentators would refer to a magnificent structure emerging from behind the hills; that’s the home of Pamenos Ballantyne. Editor, this is a lavish mansion built for this athlete, who competed in the same events and reigned at the same time as Kataballi.
People should remember that our greatest boxer, Terrence Ali, is destitute in Mahaicony. I will use this opportunity to challenge the people in the sports administration to correct this misfortune.
This is an opportunity for Mr Jagdeo to leave an indelible mark on Guyana, and build a home for our sports personalities who have fallen on hard times or have run afoul of the laws of society. Dr Frank Anthony who is seen as a beacon of success and one of the better ministers of this administration, should take a stand and ensure that that Pooran gets treatment and is placed on the path of full recovery.
There are more like Pooran out there and more are getting there; we need to halt this downward spiral of our sporting heroes.
With all the facilities being built, is this the way the sportsmen will be treated after their careers are over?
Yours faithfully,
R R Shepherd
