Fewer athletes from the hinterland areas may be participating in the this year’s National Schools Championships as several are pursuing sponsorship overseas to elevate themselves, after promises of assistance from local authorities never came to fruition.
In a telephone interview, Fredlee John, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer for the Sand Creek Community, said parents are no longer willing to have their children travel to the city to compete in the school’s championships as their prospects for more training comes to a halt at the close of the games. They are also concerned about the lack of training facilities in Region Nine and assistance for their children, he added. Further, John said, “The athletes do not feel appreciated.” John is also the father of champion athlete Regina John.
“Region Nine has some of the best athletes and they should be given priority,” he added. According to John, last year he met with then president Bharrat Jagdeo on the issue and he had committed to providing assistance. However, to date, none has been forthcoming. He said the community feels underappreciated by the officials, “It is like we have no value to this country.” Currently seven athletes from Sand Creek are in training at Lethem for the upcoming meet in neighbouring Brazil. John said this is the only alternative athletes from the region have if they are interested in pursuing athletics as a career. Two of John’s children: 13-year-old Regina and 18-year-old Frebson, number among the seven.
Regina performed very well at the last school’s championship and, John said, he is using that performance to try to secure sponsorship for her. He said he does not want his daughter to fall by the wayside, as has happened to too many sportspersons in the past.
