Dear Editor,
The recent Jamaica's Basic School Championships had a lot of celebrities performing, which had the crowd constantly engaged. And, with every race there was loud cheering from the stands. On the track we repeatedly saw star performances by little Usain Bolts, little Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryces, and little Merlene Otteys. This was a taste of the future track stars who will be in the headlines with their numerous gold trophies, signing countless contracts, and receiving several sponsorship deals. Hopefully, then we will hear that he/she is Jamaican.
Sadly, though, too much sponsorship is arriving after the fact. After the athletes have suffered and battled through training under harsh conditions. Too many are recognised by us when the rest of the world starts to acknowledge them.
Looking out on the tracks, recently, some children were out there without shoes — could be a preferred choice to run — however, what a testimony little Ottey will have after her numerous struggles to be acknowledged as a world-class athlete. After being told by his parents "I don't have it. Where must I get it from?" the little Bolt will use his determination to prove to the country that he has star quality.
Yes, parents do utter such harsh remarks to their children shutting down their hope of becoming like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce one day. Some children identify their career choice from early and as parents we are to ensure that we are not limiting their children. We are to help them aspire to such greatness. We need to encourage them and begin to make the necessary sacrifices to foster their growth. This is something many of us have failed to do.
Let us start helping them from now by identifying these little Usain Bolts and Merlene Otteys and providing sponsorships to help with their training programmes, help with their well-needed gear. We need to help them reach their full potential, and the time to start nurturing and grooming is now. The time to build our track stars starts now.
Dee Hunt
St Catherine
bedeeinspired@gmail.com
Little Bolts and little Otteys need help across the finishing line
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The recent Jamaica's Basic School Championships had a lot of celebrities performing, which had the crowd constantly engaged. And, with every race there was loud cheering from the stands. On the track we repeatedly saw star performances by little Usain Bolts, little Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryces, and little Merlene Otteys. This was a taste of the future track stars who will be in the headlines with their numerous gold trophies, signing countless contracts, and receiving several sponsorship deals. Hopefully, then we will hear that he/she is Jamaican.
Sadly, though, too much sponsorship is arriving after the fact. After the athletes have suffered and battled through training under harsh conditions. Too many are recognised by us when the rest of the world starts to acknowledge them.
Looking out on the tracks, recently, some children were out there without shoes — could be a preferred choice to run — however, what a testimony little Ottey will have after her numerous struggles to be acknowledged as a world-class athlete. After being told by his parents "I don't have it. Where must I get it from?" the little Bolt will use his determination to prove to the country that he has star quality.
Yes, parents do utter such harsh remarks to their children shutting down their hope of becoming like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce one day. Some children identify their career choice from early and as parents we are to ensure that we are not limiting their children. We are to help them aspire to such greatness. We need to encourage them and begin to make the necessary sacrifices to foster their growth. This is something many of us have failed to do.
Let us start helping them from now by identifying these little Usain Bolts and Merlene Otteys and providing sponsorships to help with their training programmes, help with their well-needed gear. We need to help them reach their full potential, and the time to start nurturing and grooming is now. The time to build our track stars starts now.
Dee Hunt
St Catherine
bedeeinspired@gmail.com
Little Bolts and little Otteys need help across the finishing line
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