Dear Editor,
Kindly permit this correspondence to be considered for your letter column because it’s a sensitive subject pertaining to the development of sports in Guyana. I also hope that the officers mentioned pay some keen attention because they are all stakeholders for the 2014 Guyana National Track and Field Championships which I understand is billed to be held at the Guyana Defence Force’s Ground (unofficially.)
Just recently I stood independent and neutral on a subject where Team Coco Riders are currently banned by the Guyana Cycling Federation. Again, my position is an independent one and neutral and I sincerely hope that all parties involved in this current situation would make that special effort to simply put aside their differences and work together for the development of sports in Guyana.
I knocked on the doors of Digicel Guyana Country Manager (Ms.Jacqueline James) pleading with her to make that call at the last minute because it is my personal belief that any sponsor of any sports event possesses that power. Team Coco Riders were not permitted to participate in that Global Cancer Awareness Campaign held on Sunday, October 26, 2014.
I was on a social media forum literally begging on humanitarian grounds to Mr. Marc Sonaram who I understand is affiliated to the Guyana Cycling Federation and I was informed that even with all my efforts, the decision would not be changed.
I penned correspondence to all four media houses suggesting that the Olive Branch play a pivotal role. Again, it didn’t work.
As it stands, Team Coco Riders are currently banned. I will now inform everyone that Team Coco currently has at least two riders who are currently attached to educational institutions and could very well have ambitions of qualifying to participate at the 2014 National Cham-pionships.
With this current ban they are facing from the Guyana Cycling Federation, does it mean that they will not be allowed participation?
This is the point that I expect the Guyana Teachers Union, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports to respond on and let us all have an understanding (via a press release/press conference) of those riders’ fate.
We don’t need a drama scene at the starter’s line of the cycling event of the 2014 National Champi-onships.
Yours faithfully,
Pemberton
