Shaw’s snub a major surprise

It is unthinkable that any person would not experience a proud moment when he or she is nominated for an award. This should be so whether or not the recognition is in the sporting arena.

There are those who claim that when they set out on any chosen journey, they do not do it in anticipation of reward or any other form of gratification save for their own self-satisfaction.

Speaking for Foster’s Fairplay, it was a signal moment when the announcement came that the world governing body of track and field, then the International Association of Athletics Federations, had included this journalist among its list of candidates for its Sports Journalist of the Year for 2014.

The fact that the actual winner would be named later was immaterial as just to be included in the pack was enough. The thought would be treasured forever.

Coming closer to home, the RJRGLEANER Sports Foundation has announced a list of nine females from which will be chosen the Sportswoman of the Year for 2019.

GRAVE OVERSIGHT

After a cursory glance and not seeing the name that was thought to be an automatic choice, a more in-depth search was done. Yes, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, universally thought to be the ultimate winner, was present, but the stark omission was Reggae Girl Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw.

What?

This must have been a grave oversight. How could a footballer with the pedigree and performance of this elegant six-footer, and with production to match, be ‘forgotten’ at a decision table at which Jamaicans of equally high sporting claims sat?

There were moments of introspection as it was thought that the miscalculation that led to such a horrendous decision, given the well-published facts surrounding this individual, was a figment of the imagination. However, there was no valid reason to believe that Shaw had not received a raw deal.

Foster’s Fairplay wishes to be fair as that is the mantra that guides its thinking, which eventually is transmitted to paper. Let us say, as difficult as that may be, that the judges encountered a memory lapse. Shaw is from a violence-visited community. One does not have to rehash the circumstances of challenge in her early life, which included parental guidance to stay home and ‘do the books’ rather than playing football in the streets.

That presented only one of the hurdles she was forced to surmount. Add to that the loss of four brothers, three of whom perished through community warfare. The fourth died in a motor vehicle accident.

WORLD CUP PERFORMANCE

To circumnavigate all these horrors and subsequently steer Jamaica through the qualifiers, scoring 19 goals in guiding the country to the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in France, and to now be pursuing a professional contract with a top French club is nothing short of miraculous.

Was all this considered by the judges when they assembled for their deliberations? Shaw did not score in the final round, but neither did Deon Burton, who scored four goals from five games in the qualifiers to the FIFA World Cup, also in France, in 1998. He was duly named Sportsman of the Year for his exploits. Why, then, the difference?

From the reports heard, there is still a chance of names being added to the original list of nominees. However, there is a stipulation that any add-ons should include persons who perform at the standard required between the date of the announcement and the end of 2019.

Could a special case not be made for a rethink and for the inclusion of this 22-year-old whose exceptional class and skill escorted her country to the biggest stage her sport of choice has to offer?

After all, she is indeed a special one.

To provide feedback, email lauriefoster2012@gmail.com.