Dear Editor,
I refer to a report in your sports pages (08.01.16), headlined “Not much progress in local athletics last year – Chief Coach of AAG-Athletes must share some blame”, by Kiev Chesney.” I beg to differ.
The only blame the athletes should share somewhat is their inability to strike the delicate balance between academics and sports. The blame for the state of athletics in Guyana must be laid at the doorstep of the administrators. Somehow they seem to have run out of ideas for the development of the sport. The coach who is the builder of any training process should seek to use his/her experience, research base and technique to guide the athletes in the right direction, instead of trying to cast blame to cover his incompetence. In most instances the athlete/s look to coaches for direction and guidance, but often there is disunity; hence the low level of motivation and the apathy.
A close observation of the administrators of athletics would reveal jealousy and disunity among them. So one need not look far to see the reason for the lack of progress. Not all athletes are capable of becoming world champions. It is important for coaches to form a body and pool their resources in an effort to develop sports. Talent identification, long term planning, scientific and methodical training are the essential steps required to achieve high performances and world class champions.
Yours faithfully,
Wayne Walcott
Diploma in Athletics
Pan American Sports
Organisation
