Dear Editor,
Sports enthusiasts and civil society with access to DirecTV from March 9-12 will be in for a treat when some of the world’s elite athletes and challengers take to centre stage at the World Indoors Championship in Istanbul, Turkey. This particular meet is the IAAF’s most important event of the 2012 World Athletics Series which will comprise of 1299 athletes and officials (349 males, 334 females and 616 officials). To my mind, this meet will also showcase some of the front runners, favourites and major challengers towards the London 2012 Olympics.
Many of the athletes in Turkey would have already experienced major competitions in Europe for 2012 and from my readings, I don’t think that Guyana has had any representatives to any international meet for the year which is a total disadvantage for London. Regional meets will not be enough.
Turning the page to a SN report dated March 5 which had the President K. Juman-Yassin of the Guyana Olympic Association saying that he hopes that Guyana can grab the elusive gold medal at the 30th Olympiad, I share the same view and have been doing so over the years with my public support via the dailies.
However, from a realistic approach, there is so much that Guyana needs to put in place for anyone to achieve such stardom and it’s not an overnight process.
The fact of the matter is that I honestly don’t believe that Guyana has fully come to grips in understanding the importance of investing in sports to a very high level and also, it is my personal opinion that Guyana does not possess the kind of funding that is required for such an investment. That will always be our disadvantage.
I would agree with anyone that efforts are being made, but not sufficient efforts.
Case in point…Guyana Times report dated March 5, 2012 `Cleveland Forde doubts he will attend Olympic qualifier.’
To date, an invitation has not been forthcoming from the office of the IAAF for this venture and it is impossible for the athlete to raise the monies that are required to offset expenses.
Should anything happen soon, I personally don’t believe in last minute preparations because one could never have a well balanced mindset in preparation for such a major meet like the Olympics.
Having said that, I echo what I have said in the past. Best wishes to the entire contingent making representation on behalf of The Golden Arrowhead from July -August, embrace the experience that awaits you and respect your competition in London.
Yours faithfully
T. Pemberton
