IT isn’t often you would read comments or pieces from any sportsperson about the challenges they face while they strive to make us all proud. Recently, though, revelations have highlighted some of those challenges. Because of my love for and interest in sports, these revelations have been disheartening.

So, some context first. One of Guyana’s best boxers, Keevin Allicock encountered a medical issue while at the recent South American games and there was no medical personnel part of the contingent. That issue, we later heard, could have been fatal. Allicock also complained of having no scale, which was why he could not progress in the competition.

Allicock himself shared what transpired and his frustrations on his social media, and that was met with both support and rebuke.

Subsequently, however, ace squash player and renowned Guyanese athlete Nicolette Fernandes reflected on Allicock’s incident (she also attended the games) and the ensuing reactions. According to her, athletes in Guyana require much better treatment.

In the first instance, it is important to note that Fernandes penned her letter with a marked degree of fairness. She acknowledged that there is an “unspoken expectation” that athletes adhere to certain behaviours but explained their plight in great detail, reflecting on Allicock’s unfortunate situation and the reactions to it.

Yet, she still managed to underscore the importance of supporting the people who sacrifice much for themselves and the nation at large. She also lamented the fact that athletes who speak up about these issues may be faced with some level of rebuke- as was the case with Allicock.

A letter of this nature, from someone I consider to be the greatest of all time (the G.O.A.T.), isn’t something I expected to read. When I think of the accolades and recognition our athletes bring to Guyana, the last thing I’d want to believe is that they are forced to accept anything less than optimal support.

Yet, these are issues that have been festering for far too long. From time to time, those of us on the outside hear such worrying stories and read worrying reactions and defences.

Earlier this year, a close friend of mine, a Guyanese who lives in Trinidad, qualified for an international sporting competition. He spent the last few years training and this was going to be his first international meet, representing Guyana. Suffice it to say. He was ecstatic about the opportunity. Just days before his date of departure, however, he messaged to say that he would be unable to participate in the competition because the local sporting organisation was unable to secure any sponsorship for him and he was unable to raise enough funds on his own. It was understandable how defeated he felt.

I reflect on Fernandes’ letter and Aliicock’s social media posts, and my friend’s experience, and wonder when our athletes will get adequate support. My statements aren’t to be misconstrued as an attack on the government or any individual sporting body. I believe that there is a role for all stakeholders to play, but those authority figures and the private sector are tasked with adequately supporting sports development in Guyana.

Sport development augurs well for our country, generally. It offers youth opportunities to develop key skills and values while honing their talent. It provides us all with leisure and entertainment opportunities, and, among other things, it imbues us with a sense of pride and camaraderie.

If we are honest with ourselves, we will accept that we have not always done all that we can do to support the people who carry our hopes on their backs and our Golden Arrowhead flying high. We should support them by providing them with adequate resources and upliftment. We should recognise that they are humans like the rest of us and treat them with dignity, grace, and respect.

And finally, let me say, unless we listen to the concerns raised, we will continue to grapple with inadequate support and challenges.

If you would like to discuss this column or any of my previous writings, please feel free to contact me via email: vish14ragobeer@gmail.com