Dear Editor,

I read with keen interest the issue relating to the withdrawal of “medal-winning hopeful” Rohan Walker from competing at the Boys’ and Girls’ Championships. He was prevented from participating due to his poor academic performance and also that the school leadership does not believe in “winning at all costs”. While I support all efforts against poor academic performance and mediocrity, I have a serious concern about this issue. My thinking is that the failure of young Rohan Walker may also be a reflection of the failure of the school. There were no reports indicating that he was offered special help from his school’s leadership and he did not make use of it. Was there a special effort by the leadership in helping to build the character and academic strength of this child in a manner that complements his talents?

More often than not, many of our athletes cannot “represent” themselves, even years after leaving school and also leaving Jamaica. It is a great shame for schools to “farm” athletes in an environment in which the building of intellectual and character qualities are neglected. We are not talking about producing rocket scientists, but talented people who can give a basic account of themselves and build the foundation for sustainable life after sport. The student has a responsibility, but in the case of young Walker, he needed help and should not be penalised for his failure if the school was not a part of the solution. Was it that that the sport department failed to ensure that he received effective enrichment treatment for his poor academic performance? It is important for every school, their sponsors and alumni organisations to ensure that their student athletes are carefully prepared and developed in a balanced manner; and that they may be able to represent themselves at the most basic and reasonable level.

I hope that this turn of events will not affect young Walker negatively. I hope others in sport with similar problems will use the occasion to begin to “pull up” their socks. The problem of poor academic performance is not restricted to student athletes. It is a general condition of the education system of Jamaica. It is important for those who are the gods in sport to use their offices in ways that are effective to encourage improved academic performance in general, and in particular for student athletes.

Louis EA Moyston

Kingston 8