Thu | Mar 28, 2024

Robust Sports Town Hall meeting expected

Published:Wednesday | September 19, 2018 | 12:00 AM
Milton Walker - group head of news and sports for the RJRGLEANER Communications Group.

Milton Walker, group head of news and sports for the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, expects a "robust and fruitful" discussion when the second edition of the RJRGLEANER Sports Town Hall debate takes place this evening at the Mico University College auditorium, starting at 8.30.

Walker noted that the topic of academics versus sports has been a hot-button issue and has been high on the agenda of most local sport enthusiasts, and he expects the public and some of the nation's renowned sport personalities to come out and share their views in the hope of coming away with some valid recommendations and suggestions to move forward.

"What we are trying to do as a group is to help shape the national discussion on some key issues in sports. We had one in June, and this is the second instalment, and we will be looking at the whole issue of academics and sports.

"It has been a long-standing sore point, in particular in Jamaican high schools, whether or not children do sports or are good in sports, they need to follow a rigorous path. Their grades should be of a particular standard or they are not allowed to do sports," he said

 

ATHLETE-BUYING

 

"The debate even extends to the issue of schools buying athletes, moving them from one school which doesn't have a good programme. So we hope tomorrow everything can be put on the table and we can have a civil, but perhaps a little heated discussion on the issues and come up with some recommendations.

"We will have robust discussions. This will be anything but calm. There are some people who have already stated their position. Dr Paul Wright and Oral Tracey are two names who have strong views. There are some in between, so we expect a robust and fruitful discussion," he reasoned.

"But we expect it to be successful ... and any member of the public can come and give their views," he added.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com