Dear Editor,
If the 2009 Sportswoman, Nicolette Fernandes was never a fan of the dailies, I bet she has just become one with the attention surrounding her selection for the national award that was recently bestowed on her.
I believe it was my letter in GC in December last year that was the initial one to touch on the topic. I also mentioned that she would qualify for the selection process. Subsequently, she got the award and a back-up letter of mine appeared in the GC on February 17, although R Trim had some concerns about the achievements of both the male and female awardees in his SN letter of February 18.
I responded in the GC on February 21. Never in a million years did I think that this topic would be such a high profile one creating waves, and that Mr Peter Abdool from the boxing fraternity would share his views in a letter in SN on February 25 in defence of another sports icon, Shondell Alfred. He believes that she should have been selected for the Sportswoman of the Year award. I do appreciate her efforts and accomplishments, and I hope that she will eventually get the recognition that some feel that has eluded her.
Thank heavens I am not a member of the selection committee and it would definitely be interesting to read a commentary from that group.
The truth is that I have never met Nicolette Fernandes and my letters were those of an observer on the sidewalk. I also have absolutely no regrets penning my views. However, if the attention this young lady is receiving from the dailies has caused her any discomfort, my views were meant with only good intentions. In my book, the leap she made with the accomplishment of a win on the European circuit, was indeed a huge one.
I hope Ms Fernandes gets used to the fact that there will always be those who feel strongly about awards and object to the decisions made in relation to them; it comes with the package.
Looking on the bright side of things, Nicolette Fernandes is now the most talked about and popular Guyanese sports celebrity.
If she has to return to defend her title in Greece later in the year and has to make a choice between clubbing or a trip to the Acropolis, take the latter. I understand it’s a breath-taking experience.
Yours faithfully,
T Pemberton