Dear Editor,
I am writing this while at the Penn Relays and I couldn't help but put my concerns in the public domain.
The decision by the organisers of the Penn Relays to reinstate Michael O'Hara is one that is most welcome by the Jamaican community who spent money and effort to be at this event. O'Hara represents one of Jamaica's finest talents and we all wanted to see him in action. I am a regular donor to Penn Relays events and have spent a lot of money helping to take up Jamaicans to perform.
I must, however, state my disgust with the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association's (ISSA) management of this drama, to say the least. Its head, Dr Walton Small, needs to explain to the public a number of unfortunate events surrounding the recent Boys' and Girls' Champs and, more so, why Michael O'Hara was seemingly treated so unfairly. He must also put on public record the actions of ISSA in the whole matter.
On the bright side, I am glad that Digicel saw it fit to support this tremendously gifted young athlete and give him the opportunity to not only finish high school, but the support needed to enhance his career. No doubt the careful support will help see him become a world-class athlete.
However, the fact that this saga moved from a storm in a teacup to a category 5 hurricane shows possible excess on the part of ISSA, whose judgement and leadership style comes into serious question. ISSA must be introspective and refocus on what is best for Jamaica, not petty considerations.
Sharon Miller
Brooklyn, New York, USA
sharonqmiller@hotmail.com
ISSA must focus on the athletes
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I am writing this while at the Penn Relays and I couldn't help but put my concerns in the public domain.
The decision by the organisers of the Penn Relays to reinstate Michael O'Hara is one that is most welcome by the Jamaican community who spent money and effort to be at this event. O'Hara represents one of Jamaica's finest talents and we all wanted to see him in action. I am a regular donor to Penn Relays events and have spent a lot of money helping to take up Jamaicans to perform.
I must, however, state my disgust with the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association's (ISSA) management of this drama, to say the least. Its head, Dr Walton Small, needs to explain to the public a number of unfortunate events surrounding the recent Boys' and Girls' Champs and, more so, why Michael O'Hara was seemingly treated so unfairly. He must also put on public record the actions of ISSA in the whole matter.
On the bright side, I am glad that Digicel saw it fit to support this tremendously gifted young athlete and give him the opportunity to not only finish high school, but the support needed to enhance his career. No doubt the careful support will help see him become a world-class athlete.
However, the fact that this saga moved from a storm in a teacup to a category 5 hurricane shows possible excess on the part of ISSA, whose judgement and leadership style comes into serious question. ISSA must be introspective and refocus on what is best for Jamaica, not petty considerations.
Sharon Miller
Brooklyn, New York, USA
sharonqmiller@hotmail.com
ISSA must focus on the athletes
-->