New national junior 400 metres record holder and South American Under-23 bronze medalist Stephan James is at the crossroads of his budding career.
So says James’s co-coach Sham Johnny.
James, whose physical gifts in the arena of athletics are tremendous, has been one of the success stories for track and field in Guyana.
He has lowered his times on the big stages such as Pan American Juniors, World Juniors, CARIFTA Games and South America Under-23 Championships.
With his personal best time and national record 400 metres time set at 46.56s, one is set to believe that the ceiling for such potential is at an all-time high for this promising 18-year-old especially with the 2016 Olympics to be held in Guyana’s backyard so to speak in neighbouring Brazil.
James’s potential according to Johnny has been going unrecognized by the government and corporate Guyana. “It is scary and frightening what Stephan (James) can be capable of in the next year or two especially when looking at 2016… he has great potential but the lack of sponsorship and support from corporate Guyana and the government can hamper his progress,” Johnny told Stabroek Sport in an exclusive interview.
“The thing is there is nothing else he can do here because of the circumstances unless a sponsor comes out and takes care of his nutrition, airfare, gear and stuff like that… I really don’t think that they (government and corporate Guyana) understand what we have on our hands,” Johnny explained to Stabroek Sport.
Johnny also pointed out James’s strength while also indicating that the talented athlete is also academically inclined.
“The thing about him is that he is dedicated and disciplined and operates professionally. He is also academically inclined and about to write the SAT examinations with hopes of going to America but if that doesn’t work then what?” Johnny questioned.
With the government going public with their ‘Road to Rio’ campaign but somewhat failing to deliver on some of their promises, Johnny believes that the government needs to walk the walk instead of talking it.
“I don’t want James to become another Aliann Pompey or Marian Burnett in that he doesn’t go past the semi-final rounds of the Olympics and for that to happen the government has to deal professionally not just with James but with athletes and the coaches in general.
“They have to step up and provide the facilities because we can’t, and do what needs to be done and I’m not talking about putting square pegs in round holes here. They went out and called for the `Road to Rio’ and still couldn’t help the Under-23 team when these are the same athletes earmarked for development programmes for Rio,” Johnny pointed out. James who trains in the National Park which is badly deteriorating, will compete at his last school’s National Track and Field championships as a student next month and stated that he needs the support.
“Yeah man! I need things like supplements and the facilities to do well. Its tough out there and a big difference when competing out there so these are just some things I need,” James told Stabroek Sport.
“The AAG is doing their best and has heavily supported Stephan (James).He was selected for most meets and he has done them proud so I must give credit where credit is due,” Johnny stated. However, Johnny sees a collaborative effort by the government, corporate Guyana and the athletics fraternity as being the only way of improving not just the chances of James for 2016 but the chances of all the 2016 prospects. “He (Stephan James) is on a different level but the only way we can improve as a country is if we have a collaborative effort not just for James but for everyone involved including the coaches because these athletes need more than just two hours a day and as coaches we will have to be dedicated as well and this is where the government and corporate Guyana come in.
“So I’m begging the government to get serious and do the things they need to do,” Johnny concluded.
