THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE ESTABLISHMENT of the JAAA/VMBS Hall of Fame is a welcome event. It has come at a time when the youth of our country are in dire need of positive role models who have not only distinguished themselves athletically and otherwise, but made our country proud as well.
The fact that seven of the eight inductees are men may be significant in a country where sunshine girls routinely do better than reggae boys. The only female inductee, Dr. Cynthia Thompson, like the outstanding Nanny, is the only rose in the nursery so far.
If the present trend of under-achievement among our male population continues unabated then one can imagine that in 25 years time, the Hall of Fame will largely consist of heroines and very few heroes. But for the time being we salute McKenley and company for being the outstanding athletes they were and the model citizens they have become.
What is regrettable is that very few our young people know about the exploits of these men and woman who have beaten the odds in more ways than one. In this regard, Schools Challenge Quiz does the nation a service by featuring from time to time just the kind of people who may one day be signally honoured. But this is not enough.
I am etc
D.V. PALMER
delanov@cwjamaica.com
4 Grove Park Avenue
Kingston 8
Via Go-Jamaica
