THE EDITOR, Sir:
FROM THE JLP Sports Manifesto, I am truly disappointed with the proposed plans by Mr. Seaga and his JLP affiliates to change the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sports to a so-called Academy, if he had won the elections. I am glad these plans will never be realised. It would have affected the lives of many well-to-do persons, who have contributed significantly for our development and our present and future advancement in the area of sports and sports development.
I don't know who informed these JLP strategists who proposed these plans, but some of these plans have already been implemented and have been in existence a long time ago.
1. There is already a programme for the training of coaches at the certificate level, which started in September of 1990.
2. There are already sports teachers being trained for schools in many disciplines.
3. There are a lot of gifted trainees since the inception of the college who are competent in many sports, and also specialists, example. Athletics: Devon Morris, Howard Burnett, Danny McFarlane, Craig Taylor, Chris Williams. Netball: Nadine French, Simone Forbes. Football: Wendell Downswell, Ian Belford. Female Footballer: Diane Hue. Volleyball (men): Namare Gordon, Delon Brown. Volleyball (women): Alicia Buchanan, Sheryl Adams. Cricket: (male) Keith Hibberts. Cricket: (female) Cassandra McKoy. Hockey: Andrea Hoo. Coach Extra-ordinaires: Michael Clarke, Basil Cunningham, Jennifer Brown and Janet Guy.
4. A lot of national teams come here to train enhancing their skill competence levels.
5. It is already a team base for national football teams. A few weeks ago the national female football team was in training at this said institution.
There are five plans proposed to be implemented if the JLP had gained power. The JLP need to get their facts straight before declaring that they are going to improve what they know nothing about. Why G.C. Foster? Is it because it was built by Cubans? Many schools in Jamaica were also built by Cubans.
The authentic fact is, people from all walks of life and different political persuasion attend G.C. Foster and we are not from any one political persuasion.
I think the JLP directorate needs to come to the college on a normal day. They can enter any class and see the quality work programme in existence. This should prevent them from making hasty generalised assessments without any base or face-to-face dialogue with anyone in authority.
I am a degree student of G.C. Foster College and I am aware of the facts.
I am etc.,
PARIS TAYLOR
bighot43@yahoo.com
