Letter of the Day | Ban on recruitment will hurt students the most

THE EDITOR, Madam:

While the various institutions should and must be punished for any violation of the policies governing the various sporting disciplines, the biggest losers, should there be a ban on recruitment, would be the students. If the recruitment process is banned, we would be penalising the innocent students who are already the victims of the actions of the institutions and their coaches.

Every sporting discipline requires training, knowledge of the sport, exposure, etc. The harsh reality is that not all the institutions have the capacity in some of these areas, and some that do, not even come close to the international standards.

Sports and entertainment are among the top income earners globally, banning recruitment will be punishing the students and deprive them of a great future. Allow them to get the best training and exposure, which should be the ultimate goal. Punish the institutions and coaches for their unscrupulous behaviour, but do not put the future of students in uncertainty. Many Jamaicans athletes have made their mark in the international arena through sports, thanks to having the right coaches, equipment, management, etc.

No matter how talented an athlete may be, they need critical infrastructure to unearth their true potential. When a final-year student is deprived of exposing their talent in athletics, football, cricket, netball and other sports, because of a breach of policy on the part of the institution or the coaches, the student is the ultimate loser.

Ban the coaches, fine the institutions, but don’t punish the students; it is no fault of theirs.

PHILLIP WILLIAMS