President of the Guyana Olympic Association K. Juman Yassin yesterday conceded that his association should shoulder some of the blame for the lack of a physiotherapist and medical personnel at the recent South American Games when boxer Keevin Allicock fell ill after failing to make the weight for his semi-final bout.
Yassin made the disclosure yesterday at Olympic House, Liliendaal at a press conference to address the fallout over the fact that the GOA did not send a medical personnel with the South American Games contingent.
Although Chef-De-Mission Keavon Bess described the team’s performance as credible given that Guyana walked away with three medals, finishing 13th, the press conference was dominated by the fallout from the Allicock health fright.
The pugilist failed to make the weight for his semi-final match and was subsequently hospitalized after being diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis.
Absent from Guyana’s delegation was a medical officer and a physiotherapist and Allicock was treated by doctors from the Panama contingent before the arrival of an ambulance which subsequently took him to the hospital.
Allicock during brief remarks at the press conference stated that it was a life threatening experience, which was exacerbated by the non-existence of a medical officer and physiotherapist on the Guyana delegation.
The Junior Commonwealth Games silver medalist was initially critical of the GOA and the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) during a lengthy post on his Facebook page following the ordeal, stating that athletes deserve basic yet fundamental privileges, which are not afforded.
Allicock had also stated that he hopes that this episode doesn’t transpire again, adding that his statements were made because the situation could have happened to any athlete.
According to Yassin, medical facilities and the availability of hospitals form part of the bidding process for games of this nature by the resulting host nation.
He added that the GOA only started sending a physiotherapist as part of the delegation at the Tokyo Olympics.
Yassin said that a physiotherapist was not on the team because the timeframe for the submission of the name to fill that position had elapsed.
Yassin said that he agrees with the notion that athletes deserve and should expect the best treatment during international sojourns, adding that sportspersons should have the avenue to voice their concerns without the fear of being victimized.
He added that he is trying to ascertain how Allicock’s health reached that state but is still awaiting the answers, because the coach and the boxer has a responsibility with regards to weight.
“What I am told was that he was in a serious state of dehydration but how did he get to that state and who coordinated for that to happen?” he asked.
“I have asked for a report from the manager but it does answer the question and all it says is that he was dehydrated,” he added.
Yassin said that given Allicock’s condition, he “had to go to the hospital because of the state he was in.”
He noted that the lack of a scale is not an issue or criticism that should be aimed at the GOA but the GBA.
Squash player Nicolette Fernandes, who won a silver medal in the women’s singles at the South American Games, had written a letter detailing what transpired in the case of Allicock and questioning the lack of accountability by national sports federations/associations.
In a lengthy statement Fernandes lambasted the GOA and the GBA as well as politicians for their treatment of athletes.
Yassin said that while he agreed with the majority of what was stated by Fernandes in her missive, two glaring errors came to the forefront as he was not in Paraguay when Allicock took ill, and that he disagrees with the characterization of uncaring.
He acknowledged that while he didn’t reach out to ascertain the wellbeing of Allicock, he assumed that his condition had improved significantly, as he was part of a contingent that was supporting other athletes during their matches.
The long serving GOA boss declared that although he is heartened by the comments of President Irfaan Ali that the government is open to financing a physiotherapist and medical doctor for international events, and should be commended for the position, the implementation of the long overdue sports policy is paramount to the development of athletes especially those of an elite persuasion, as they will be able to discern what financial contributions and benefits they will be afforded.
Meanwhile, Bess stated that what transpired with Allicock was unfortunate and that the hope is for better structures and plans to be formulated to ensure that the situation never reoccurs.
Similar sentiments were echoed by GOA Vice-President Godfrey Munroe, who stated that the incident provides the opportunity for introspection, conceding “the system fell down and we accept culpability in that regard.”
He revealed that discussions and engagements with the physiotherapist association has commenced to ensure that another reoccurrence is avoided, adding that the association expresses regret to Allicock for the unsavoury experience.
Meanwhile, asked why swimming was not one of the disciplines that competed at the games, Juman-Yassin said that the GOA felt that the association was operating in a delinquent manner with regards not submitting the names of their athletes before the deadline.
According to Juman-Yassin, the swimming association was delinquent for several months, and when they had opted to submit the list, the GOA felt that it was too late given that the deadline had passed though he did not agree with this position, and efforts were made to have them at the games.
He revealed that while they were subsequently accredited and could have been presented with their visas, the GOA wrote the organizers of the games and stated that those athletes were not authorized to attend.
Quizzed if a timeline has been finalised for the staging of the GOA Elections, Juman-Yassin revealed that it is delayed for two reasons which were permission required from the IOC on the new constitution, and the audited financial statements from the treasurer which the GOA is still awaiting.
He also said that permission has been received from the IOC on the new constitution but the audited financial statement is yet to be received, which has to be submitted to the different associations for discussions prior to the staging of the elections.
