Western Bureau

Two very important things happened in the sporting life of western Jamaica over the last week and today I feel the need to examine both because I strongly believe that ultimately, these matters will become significant milestones in the region's sporting development.

On Wednesday, I went to the Herbert Morrison High School to get a feel of the school's reaction to the news that their own Dexter Lee had won the 100m gold medal at the 12th IAAF World Junior Championship in Poland. Amid the celebrations, I got the feeling that Lee's success was expected.

In acknowledging that young Lee had promised him he would be returning home from Poland with the gold medal, the school's principal, Paul Adams, spoke glowingly of the school's impressive athletics programme and the lofty expectations they have of their student athletes.

As I looked around Adam's office, which was stocked high with numerous trophies, plaques and certificates won in sporting endeavours over the years, I could not help but wonder how many more stars the west could have produced if we had the facilities to match the energy and devotion that goes into sports at institutions such as Herbert Morrison.

quality athletes

When one considers that the west has produced quality athletes such as young Lee, the world fastest man, Usain Bolt, and the legendary Merlene Ottey, it must be an absolute disgrace that while the Government continues to revel in the success of these athletes, the only facility with a decent running track in the region is Montego Bay's half-finished Catherine Hall Stadium.

While I wouldn't expect Jamaica to be on par with a wealthy country like the United States in terms of high-quality facilities, I see no good reason why we should be behind our financially challenged neighbour Cuba, which has such excellent facilities and is doing much more than paying lip service to sports.

In looking at the need to treat sports right, it leads me to the second issue I wish to discuss today. On Thursday, The Gleaner hosted a Sports Editors' Forum at its Western Bureau in Montego Bay and in terms of getting an insight into the problems plaguing sports in the west, it was a revelation.

plan strategies

While the focus was primarily on football development, what came to the fore was that, regardless of the endeavour, sporting or otherwise, it is unlikely that success will be achieved unless the members of organisation share ideas, plan strategies together and work together as a cohesive unit.

The forum, which was attended by the presidents of the four western parishes, alongside renowned sporting figures from the region, was highlighted by frankness with which individuals, such as Westmoreland FA president Everton Tomlinson, former FIFA referee and noted cricket umpire Steve Bucknor, former national striker Paul 'Tegat' Davis and former national coach Wendell Downswell, spoke.

shared vision

My only disappointment was that the JFF boss Captain Horace Burrell, who was one of the invited guests, was not present because it would have afforded him the opportunity to see that contrary to his belief, the decline in western Jamaica has less to do with the competence of region's administrator and more on the failure of the JFF to effect meaningful development programmes.

However, in listening to the shared vision of those who attended the forum, I feel sufficiently satisfied that there is enough goodwill, football knowledge and desire to restore our football product to move forward with confidence. If the JFF truly believes that the west is important in the advancement of national football, now is the time to reconnect with the region.

NB: Feel free to send your feedback to adrianfrater@hotmail.com