School Games marred by poor management

THE EDITOR: I had the opportunity to accompany my two nieces to the National Secondary School Games at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on April 19 and 20, organised by the TT Secondary Schools Track and Field Association.

I anticipated a spectacular show of talent, promise and progression and, needless to say, the athletes did not disappoint. However, the day was marred by some disappointments with the management of these games.

Firstly, both of my nieces were competitors in track and field events. They attend different schools, both of which did not see it as their responsibility to provide transport for their athletes going to compete under their schools’ umbrella. As such all three of us journeyed from Mafeking in Mayaro to the stadium.

When I made enquires I was told that because it was only one student in each case, the respective schools did not make provisions – or even enquired from neighbouring participating schools – for transport, and obviously they were not accompanied by any teacher(s).

At the games on the first day, apart from the late start, the track and field events generally ran smoothly. That day there were two medal presentations – before and immediately after the lunch period – for events held in the morning.

One of my nieces took part in a girls under 17 field event that started at approximately 1.40 pm and the other in a girls under 15 track event that started at approximately 2.15 pm. However, there were no medal presentations for the events that took place after lunch.

Again I made enquires at the medals table and was told the results for the various events, which would have included the finals in the sprint track events, 4 x 100 relay, high jump, long jump, javelin etc, had not been received and therefore the medals would be presented the following day. Needless to say I was disgusted as my nieces did not compete in any events on the second day and therefore were not there to collect their medals. And I am certain they were not the only ones who were faced with that disappointment.

At which games, either regionally or internationally, would competitors receive their medals the next day? Mishaps like that can only occur with improper planning.

As a country we are blessed with youth with tremendous talents that, if nurtured carefully, can see us on the world stage for many years to come. However, sadly the people entrusted to manage and execute never fail to disappoint.

I do not like to make comparisons but if we take just half a page from our neighbour Jamaica and the tremendous effort and professional approach it places on track and field at the schools championship level and in general, maybe, just maybe, track and field in Trinidad will gain the respect it deserves. It all starts with taking some pride in what we are presenting.

ANTHEA ALEXANDER, Mafeking

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"School Games marred by poor management"

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