Dear Editor,
Tuesday’s shock passing of St George’s College’s Manning Cup team Captain Dominic James has left me numb, as I am sure it has for many in the Jamaican communities at home and in the Diaspora. Death always does that to communities, and it is especially difficult when the deceased is young and in their prime.
It must be even more difficult for his parents. My heart goes out to them and Dominic’s extended family and teammates.
Having said that, I must focus on the back-of-the-house aspects of Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) events. I ask that ISSA and the Ministry of Education review existing health and safety protocols, and where none exist to have these drawn up and implemented immediately. When one looks at the administrative and technical preparations for the delivery of “Champs” over the years, the football competitions are incredibly lacking in respect of basic protocols, and the public must demand that certain basic provisions be made. These must include on-the-spot medical personnel and equipment, maybe an ambulance. There must be a protocol for medical emergencies that should be well known and simulation-tested.
While there is no guarantee that had more provisions been in place young Dominic would have survived, we must establish standards and protocols that at the very least will give the next potential victim a greater fighting chance of surviving a medical emergency. The loss of Dominic must be the catalyst for addressing these glaring deficiencies.
To the competition’s sponsors FLOW, and its owners ISSA, as well as other associate sponsors, you all need to take a long look at your programmes and include the greatest regard for health and safety.
Richard Blackford
richardhblackford@gmail.com
Tuesday’s shock passing of St George’s College’s Manning Cup team Captain Dominic James has left me numb, as I am sure it has for many in the Jamaican communities at home and in the Diaspora. Death always does that to communities, and it is especially difficult when the deceased is young and in their prime.
It must be even more difficult for his parents. My heart goes out to them and Dominic’s extended family and teammates.
Having said that, I must focus on the back-of-the-house aspects of Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) events. I ask that ISSA and the Ministry of Education review existing health and safety protocols, and where none exist to have these drawn up and implemented immediately. When one looks at the administrative and technical preparations for the delivery of “Champs” over the years, the football competitions are incredibly lacking in respect of basic protocols, and the public must demand that certain basic provisions be made. These must include on-the-spot medical personnel and equipment, maybe an ambulance. There must be a protocol for medical emergencies that should be well known and simulation-tested.
While there is no guarantee that had more provisions been in place young Dominic would have survived, we must establish standards and protocols that at the very least will give the next potential victim a greater fighting chance of surviving a medical emergency. The loss of Dominic must be the catalyst for addressing these glaring deficiencies.
To the competition’s sponsors FLOW, and its owners ISSA, as well as other associate sponsors, you all need to take a long look at your programmes and include the greatest regard for health and safety.
Richard Blackford
richardhblackford@gmail.com