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Jamaican coaches homesick in India

Published:Monday | May 18, 2020 | 12:20 AMRaymond Graham/Gleaner Writer
SHAND
SHAND

THREE JAMAICAN track and field coaches, Michael Vassell, Michael Russell, and Jermaine Shand, all working at the moment, are hoping that the coronavirus pandemic will come to an end soon.

Vassell and Russell, both former coaches of Excelsior High School, are in Andhra Pradesh, a state in south India, as consultants for Tenvic Sports.

Russell is in charge of sprints and education for coaches, while Vassell is the consultant for the throws and manager of the Centre of Excellence.

Shand, a former coach of Camperdown High School, and Racers Track Club, is in the state of Pune, where he is the head coach of a club.

“We are in a farming state that is trying to improve track and field coaches’ knowledge, where there is also a goal to produce at least one Olympian for the next Olympic Games,” Russel said.

“COVID-19 has affected our work tremendously, and with the centre being on lockdown, there is no activity at all.”

Russell, who is on a two-year contract which started in October, is considering returning to Jamaica before it expires.

“Initially, I had a two-year contract; however, we are experiencing some salary cuts, being a government project, so I am seriously considering coming back home after the lockdown,” he said.

Russell says there is also a curfew on in his area.

“You are not allowed on the streets, at all, unless you are an essential worker or have a medical emergency,” he said. “In obtaining food, and other stuff, there are a number of companies that you can order food from and it is delivered to your home, but they only deliver essential items at this time.”

Russell, who also coached Kingston College, said he misses working in Jamaica.

“Nuh weh nuh better dan yaad,” he said. “I do miss coaching in Jamaica, because we are ultimately assisting our own people to improve their standard of living to get them access to a free tertiary-level education.

“Here in India it is different, as they do sports to get job with the government for the rest of their lives. So by the time they get to 19 or 21 [years old], they are drafted by companies, and the medals or standard determine your job and remuneration.”

BITTERSWEET EXPERIENCE

Shand says the one-year experience has so far been bittersweet for him.

“Just like in any other organisation, we are not able to come together or do any thing outdoors,” he said. “We continue to train via Zoom, where we are able to see others on a daily basis, and also using the opportunity to develop a strong core base.

“We just do enough to maintain a certain level of conditioning so that they do not lose fitness. It is going well and they are getting stronger, so it is a bittersweet situation for me.”

Shand, who has also accompanied a national senior team to the World Athletics Championships, is considering returning to Jamaica.

“With the pandemic, we are in a wait-and-see situation as we all have to be watching what will happen with the crisis. It is a possibility that after all this is finished, I will be coming back home to Jamaica,” he said.