Dear Editor,
Our athletes have made us proud, but have we made them proud?
These people are natural and national treasures. They not only gave us an emotional uplift, but they will go down in the history books as athletics champions. They not only gave us pride of place in the world for a while, but their successes will bring tourist and tourist dollars to Jamaica for some time. They not only put us on the front pages and on the world map, but they also overshadow the ugly murderous image we have out there. They not only serve as idols and icons to our youth, but give purpose and dignity for them to follow.
We are good at television, radio and other press and electronic coverage of the many events, but is that good enough?
What have we given to them?
Firstly, we should declare a day as National Sports Day on which we celebrate all our sportsmen and women, present and past.
On their return from Rio we should meet them at the airport and then proceed to the National Arena, where we have awards and all the platitudes. At this venue we should have a designated place where we put up sculptures of these outstanding men and women.
In the parish capitals, we should put up statues hailing their contribution to national development. Not only this, but we should give them land and a government-built house. Additionally, the Government should provide them with a pension plan. And more immediately, should we not provide them with health, life and disability insurance? If the Government can’t, why not the private sector?
If we do the above for our athletes, could you imagine the ripple effect?
I can see more young people taking part in sports more seriously. I can see the unemployment among youth decreasing rapidly. I can see the murder rate decreasing. I can see us building more sports complexes for local and international use, and for the purposes of training and competitions. I can see us developing more coaches and health professionals for the local and international markets. I can see us becoming the athletics capital of the world. If these things happen, I can see us all, as Jamaicans, having more national pride and morale.
Whitley McLean
whitleymclean@yahoo.com
Our athletes have made us proud, but have we made them proud?
These people are natural and national treasures. They not only gave us an emotional uplift, but they will go down in the history books as athletics champions. They not only gave us pride of place in the world for a while, but their successes will bring tourist and tourist dollars to Jamaica for some time. They not only put us on the front pages and on the world map, but they also overshadow the ugly murderous image we have out there. They not only serve as idols and icons to our youth, but give purpose and dignity for them to follow.
We are good at television, radio and other press and electronic coverage of the many events, but is that good enough?
What have we given to them?
Firstly, we should declare a day as National Sports Day on which we celebrate all our sportsmen and women, present and past.
On their return from Rio we should meet them at the airport and then proceed to the National Arena, where we have awards and all the platitudes. At this venue we should have a designated place where we put up sculptures of these outstanding men and women.
In the parish capitals, we should put up statues hailing their contribution to national development. Not only this, but we should give them land and a government-built house. Additionally, the Government should provide them with a pension plan. And more immediately, should we not provide them with health, life and disability insurance? If the Government can’t, why not the private sector?
If we do the above for our athletes, could you imagine the ripple effect?
I can see more young people taking part in sports more seriously. I can see the unemployment among youth decreasing rapidly. I can see the murder rate decreasing. I can see us building more sports complexes for local and international use, and for the purposes of training and competitions. I can see us developing more coaches and health professionals for the local and international markets. I can see us becoming the athletics capital of the world. If these things happen, I can see us all, as Jamaicans, having more national pride and morale.
Whitley McLean
whitleymclean@yahoo.com