Dear Editor,
Let me first congratulate the Jamaica Observer on a fine piece of journalism in bringing to public attention the disgraceful behaviour of an international athlete and public official (JAAA 3rd V-P).
Not many people the world over are unaware of the humility and fine personality of the accomplished Courtney Andrew Walsh, in whose honour a national sports award have been appropriately named. Now, for the nominee of this year's prestigious award to elect not to attend the awards ceremony and to send a member of his management team to represent him, who offered a now obviously less than genuine excuse, making out that representative to be either a fool or a liar, is indeed shameful.
Not many people the world over are unaware of the humility and fine personality of the accomplished Courtney Andrew Walsh, in whose honour a national sports award have been appropriately named. Now, for the nominee of this year's prestigious award to elect not to attend the awards ceremony and to send a member of his management team to represent him, who offered a now obviously less than genuine excuse, making out that representative to be either a fool or a liar, is indeed shameful.
Mind you, this is not just about Courtney Walsh, but there is a way in which our society is being taken over by various degrees of obnoxious behaviour by some of our public officials, without sanction, only to get worse. This latest incident, which has the eyes and ears of young impressionable athletes, should not go unpunished. The organising committee did well in selecting Frater for this award, but on the basis of the athlete's own behaviour, the award should be rescinded and the JAAA's president should ask the young man to resign as he has now lost the moral authority to continue as a leader and an example for his young prodigies.
Unless our society comes to grips with issues like these, and act accordingly, we are doomed for failure, even while stars like Michael Frater continue to shine.
Take back the award
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Let me first congratulate the Jamaica Observer on a fine piece of journalism in bringing to public attention the disgraceful behaviour of an international athlete and public official (JAAA 3rd V-P).
Not many people the world over are unaware of the humility and fine personality of the accomplished Courtney Andrew Walsh, in whose honour a national sports award have been appropriately named. Now, for the nominee of this year's prestigious award to elect not to attend the awards ceremony and to send a member of his management team to represent him, who offered a now obviously less than genuine excuse, making out that representative to be either a fool or a liar, is indeed shameful.
Not many people the world over are unaware of the humility and fine personality of the accomplished Courtney Andrew Walsh, in whose honour a national sports award have been appropriately named. Now, for the nominee of this year's prestigious award to elect not to attend the awards ceremony and to send a member of his management team to represent him, who offered a now obviously less than genuine excuse, making out that representative to be either a fool or a liar, is indeed shameful.
Mind you, this is not just about Courtney Walsh, but there is a way in which our society is being taken over by various degrees of obnoxious behaviour by some of our public officials, without sanction, only to get worse. This latest incident, which has the eyes and ears of young impressionable athletes, should not go unpunished. The organising committee did well in selecting Frater for this award, but on the basis of the athlete's own behaviour, the award should be rescinded and the JAAA's president should ask the young man to resign as he has now lost the moral authority to continue as a leader and an example for his young prodigies.
Unless our society comes to grips with issues like these, and act accordingly, we are doomed for failure, even while stars like Michael Frater continue to shine.
Take back the award
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