DEAR EDITOR, Sir:THE RECENTLY concluded Champs were both electrifying and spell-binding to the last event:
1. Athletic performances were superb and of world class.
2. The spirited competition and school patriotism were unparalleled.
3. Spectator turn-out and support, pulsating, infective and joyous to the soul. Not to mention a full house on Saturday.
4. Champs is a special Jamaica tradition and a true festival of track & field.
However, some improvements are necessary in that:
1. Results of events are not reported quickly enough after the event.
2. Important achievements are not quickly and adequately highlighted. For example, Morant Bay's Wilbert Walker's (no relation) historical and unprecedented winning of the heptathlon, long jump, triple jump (record) was not acclaimed by announcer.
3. The announcer's diction is not crisp, clear and projecting.
4. The shot put and discus should be held in the stadium. Artificial cover for the grass could be obtained. This is a disservice to both the athletes and spectators.
5. Events should be kept closer to schedule.
6. Acknowledgement of honourees should have a specific time in the programme and advertised for their supporters, friends and family.
7. Reporting field events results also in feet and inches would be a small courtesy for the metrically challenged and non-metric foreigners.
8. Improved security and usher training would help with crowding in the aisles thus not requiring a stoppage of the meet. Some attractively placed spikes on the peripheral walls of the stadium would dissuade sitters.
The above improvements would make a great Champs greater and more athlete and spectator friendly, further enhance the festive atmosphere, justify the ticket prices and keep us coming back year after year.
I am, etc.,
DR. GEORGE L. WALKER
Chicago, US.
Via Go-Jamaica
P.S. congrats again K.C. and Holmwood
A dying WindiesTHE EDITOR, Sir:
I, LIKE many West Indian fans, mourn the current state of West Indian cricket and have a great difficulty absorbing the dubious records that we seem to be breaking every time we take the field. That being said, I do not think that there is necessarily any shame in losing depending on the manner in which you play the game and, for that matter, the manner in which you lose.
Along those lines, I have a serious difficulty in accepting captain Brian Lara's logic for having demoted himself in the batting order during the second innings of the recently concluded second Test played in Trinidad.
Leaders must at all times lead from the front and - for better or worse - Lara is a leader of the team in two senses as, aside from being captain, he is the leading batsman.
What message must he have sent to the bowling side when he remained in the pavilion at the fall of the third wicket and sent Ridley Jacobs out to the wicket?
What message must this move by the "great thinker" have sent to his own teammates - especially the younger batsmen in the side? Whilst Lara's lackeys will point to the fact that Jacobs scored 70 runs and shared in a valuable partnership with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, this is irrelevant as the psychological damage on both sides had long been done when he finally graced us with his presence out in the middle.
I contend that a promotion in the batting order would have been the sign of a good leader in light of the circumstances, and could have served the purpose of letting the English know that the fight was going to be taken to them along with giving Lara the opportunity to take his time and attempt to play a long and purposeful innings in light of his recent wretched form.
On another note, while we all heard Ricky Skerritt's remarks in response to four of the players visiting the Red Stripe Mound after the debacle at Sabina Park, why was captain Lara so silent on the issue?
Could it be that in light of his past indiscretions, disrespect and indiscipline, he now lacks the moral authority on which to reprimand or discipline his own players?
I am, etc.,
JOHN P. AZAR
c/o King Alarm Systems Limited
1 Caledonia Ave, Kingston 5
Via Go-Jamaica
Alpha displays true spiritTHE EDITOR, Sir:
THE RECENT staging of the Boys and Girls Athletics Championship gives clear indication of the talent that exists within this country amidst economic and social pressures.
I want to take this opportunity to say congrats to the Alpha track team. You have made a past student very proud and I really want to encourage you to keep doing what you are doing. Kudos to the coaching staff, the future looks promising.
It was heart-warming on opening the sports pages of both The Star and The Gleaner to see students wearing our crest placing second and third in the 80m hurdles.
We have come a long way - from being non-competitors to becoming a force to be reckoned with.
Never lose sight of your goals and continue to add to a rich tradition that has supplied this nation with professionals across all areas of life.
I am, etc.,
SHACKELIA JACKSON
Chanel1jm@yahoo.com
Not all sports are equalTHE EDITOR, Sir:
THE APRIL 2 edition of The Gleaner confirmed my thought that not all sports are created equal in Jamaica.
I was disappointed to see that Red Stripe had committed $100 million to sponsor the Reggae Boyz who have failed to qualify for the World Cup in recent years, while on the other hand, the young Jamaican water polo team, which has had very good showings in its limited outings, is saddled with the burden of raising its own funds in order to represent the country at the upcoming Carifta Games.
I appeal to the Ministry of Sports to look into this situation and to corporate sponsors to step up to the plate to help a team that is showing signs of being another great sports team produced by our small island.
After all, this is national representation.
I am, etc.,
JANET SMITH
jstrudwicksmith@yahoo.com
Silver Spring, MD
Via Go-Jamaica
Congrats Red StripeDEAR EDITOR, Sir:
KINDLY ALLOW me to congratulate the Red Stripe team for its bold and patriotic gesture to 'The Boyz', the football programme and Jamaica. The company's thoughtfulness must be praised as it shows courage, trust and confidence in Jamaica's future.
This is the kind of inherent support and stimulus needed for Jamaican products and programmes. It is my wish that other people, companies and institutions will learn from this move by Red Stripe and muster confidence in Jamaica.
We look forward to Germany. Congratulations to the JFF members. All the best to the Boyz.
I am, etc.,
EVERALD J. CHRISTIE
E-mail: echristi@ryerson.ca
189 Dunn Avenue, Toronto
Via Go-Jamaica
