If Kadecia Baird and Sheniece Daphness had been running for elected office, they surely would’ve been buoyed by the lobbying of a diplomat who knows a bit about running a government office.
During a courtesy call, last Thursday, the young Guyanese athletes were spongy on gleaming commendations from their country’s chief officer of consular services in New York, Brentnol Evans. And, the track stars from Medgar Evers Prep High School and Middle Tennessee State University were not short on being absorbent.
“It’s a nice experience. I never thought before I’d ever meet such a dignitary, but it was uplifting,” blushed Daphness, the garrulous of the two starlettes, and a product of Linden, like Evans. The diminutive sprinter and her taller, taciturn colleague were meeting the Consular General after recent stellar athletic performances that put them on the Guyana team for the upcoming IAAF World Junior Championships in Barcelona, Spain.
Evans congratulated the duo on behalf of Guyanese in the diaspora, and urged them to “always remain focused and strive to make sure your goals are a little beyond what you think is within your reach.” That was set on the sprinters and their chaperone, Nicola Martial, a former collegiate champion and 1996 Olympian for Guyana.
It was ‘meet’ of a different kind. Away from the intensity of races, both Baird and Daphness were confident with a tinge of naiveté at the mid-afternoon drop-in. For Daphness, the visit doubled as a funding pitch for participation in the international event. She and Baird, along with coach Shaun Dietz, locally-based runner Stephan James and a manager are to make up the team, but her trip is jeopardized by limited liquidity.
“We need to give them all the help and support they need,” said Evans, pleading for Guyanese to respond positively. “We even track back to Guyana where we find young people with the will, determination to bring credit to Guyana, and we got to give them the push,” he told Stabroek Sports.
Hardly anything said thrust like Evans’ prompt calls to stalwart supporters of Guyanese sports in the New York area, including Tri-State Alliance exec., Pat Jordon-Langford; business magnate and socialite, Edgar Henry and female entrepreneur and activist, Allison Butters. Then, he turned to Martial to provide additional details to the three on their needs, while he held court with the two teenagers.
“Just stay focused and practice and practice, you will surely get there.” Evans opined that it is very difficult to compete in the world today, because they will be matching skills with some of the finest athletes and that they got to be very determined. “No doubt they will represent Guyana in a certain way that will make our people proud,”
His words signaled pure, unabashed paeans to points of patriotic pride for the athletes as they clamored for a ‘photo opp.’ in front of a large ‘Golden Arrowhead’ in Evans’ office. The bustle made Martial feel it was more than peer pandering. “That’s adorable! Maybe we can borrow this flag or ask to get one for the girls to take with them.”
That was a certain blast of ostensible optimism? Splendid!
Afterwards, the Guyanese diplomat feted the track lasses to a sumptuous lunch and take-away at the Fresh & Co. diner obliquely opposite the consulate. It was in stride with his hosting of sports stars over the years, including the famous appreciation dinner for Aliann Pompey and Marian Burnett just after their unique 2009 Millrose Games appearance in neighboring Madison Square Garden.
“This is a real tribute to our dedication and hard work,” responded Daphness who missed last summer’s Pan American Juniors over a similar funding snafu. “This is so inspiring to us and to find the time to treat us like this, is really appreciated,” Baird whispered while taking gulps of the bistro’s ‘tuscan grilled chili’ special. “It’s so cool.”
Meanwhile, after learning he was serving track champions, young waiter Omar was equally awed. “I thought it was great; actually, I’ve never been around superior athletes like that before. That’s pretty awesome.” He found pleasure dishing out his diner’s healthy, natural foods. “Meeting you guys was, like, dope!” he exclaimed.
Former teammates at Medgar Evers Prep where Baird is a junior, the sprinters were part of the school’s 4x200m boro, city and state championship and record-setting relay squads. They also ran on the school’s national championship 4x100m team, last year.
“The world and Guyana particularly, is watching you and you can be guaranteed that this consulate will provide its fullest support. I wish you the best and with God’s help we’ll get the medals … we get there.”
In a matter of days, the young sporting emissaries intend to be there – in the world’s spotlight; prospecting for Guyana. Gold is their aim.
And, surely, the talented trio will be running for office. An office called ‘the medal podium’. But, for now let’s just call them Guyana’s ambassadors to Barcelona.
