The University of Guyana Students’ Society (UGSS) has issued a call for an investigation into what is alleged to be an occurrence of nepotism during the selection of student athletes for the FISU World University Games.
The body responsible for the selection process was the Sports Department of the University of Guyana (UG).
President of the UGSS, Shaquawn Gill, told this newspaper that based on information received, one of the individuals selected to represent UG in the games is a close relative of someone on the selection team.
“The reports are that people who were responsible for the selection of the teams, one did not select the teams in the best interest of the students who would be able to get exposure, and to further develop themselves. Not just in that regard, but also the fact that it was not in the best interest of the University itself, because one of the persons who were selected to go did not even participate in any of the activities that were outlined, that she was supposed to be participating in,” Gill explained.
The UGSS President believes that a thorough investigation needs to be conducted into the matter to determine whether or not the allegations are true. Gill noted that the reports came from competent athletes who had been training in order to be selected.
In a post he made on his Facebook page, sports journalist Rawle Toney highlighted the matter, stating that the allegedly undeserving individual had not only failed to participate in the training but had never been an athlete and lacked the competitive experience needed for the games. He also noted that the individual registered as a field athlete but failed to participate in the event to which they were assigned.
“What adds to the distress is that a genuine athlete, who I am personally aware competes for a club in Guyana, was reportedly removed from the team to accommodate this non-athlete,” Toney stated.
Further, he made reference to an incident of similar nature which took place with a Somali athlete, who ran the 100m race in under 21 seconds at the games:
“Like the case in question, she was not an actual athlete and reportedly gained entry through her connections with an official from her country. In response, the Minister of Sport in Somalia had to apologise to the Games’ organisers, and the head of athletics in Somalia was suspended”.
In turn, Gill noted that the UGSS does not believe that the entire selection process was done in a manner that would give deserving athletes the exposure and the opportunities that they deserve.
“We do not refute the fact that, of course, we had athletes that went there who participated phenomenally, but we do not believe that the entire thing was done in a manner that it should have been done.,” he said.
The UGSS, in their press release, made an appeal to the management of UG to thoroughly investigate the matter.
“As the University of Guyana’s Students’ Society, we stand firm in our commitment to ensuring that all students of the University of Guyana receive equitable opportunities, particularly in the area of sport and other extracurricular activities,” the release stated.
The FISU World University Games is an international multi-sport event that is organised for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation.
