– officials reverse decision
Discus thrower, Shenika Joseph will be going to the national school’s championship after all. At a meeting of district officials yesterday, the issue was raised and clarified and she was informed that she would be allowed to participate.
Her elated father, Albert Joseph, told Stabroek News last evening that his adopted daughter was very happy. He said the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) representative called the family yesterday and relayed the decision. Shenika, who will be representing Region Five, has to take in her documents today. “The child is all elated,” Joseph said while thanking this newspaper for highlighting the story.
Shenika was told to begin preparations for the trip to Linden, where the Champion-ships will be held.
Stabroek News had reported yesterday that the 14-year-old was all set to represent Region Five in the discus throw at this year’s national school sports, until she produced an adoption certificate. This was not accepted by officials. Her father said that her excitement was taken away all because “the authorities are not au fait with a birth certificate looking like that.”
He had showed this newspaper the document which is pure white — unlike the ones that are issued for biological children — and marked at the top left-hand corner “Copy from the Register of Adopted Children.”
Stabroek News had learnt that the GTU had prohibited Shenika from participating although the document carried the “authentic seal.” The elder Joseph was also armed with a court order and said he was willing to produce that if he was asked to do so.
