Manning Cup players meeting vaccine goal

WITH SCHOOLBOY football set to kick off soon and with only vaccinated players eligible to participate, most schools have declared that they have commitment from players to get fully vaccinated.

Jamaica College, the defending champions, Camperdown High, St Catherine High and Bridgeport High confirmed that their players will all take the jab, even though some were hesitant at the beginning.

“We had about six players who were hesitant, but they came around. So everything is all right, because they are ready to do it now,” Anthony Patrick, coach of St Catherine, informed.

“We have seven fully vaccinated already and another 13 waiting on the second dose,” he added.

In the case of Bridgeport, team manager Telbert Wright said their players are ready to take the jab, but vaccine availability is an issue.

“There is no hesitancy. The guys are willing to take the vaccine, but right now we cannot get the vaccine,” said Wright. “We have told them if they are not willing to take it they must stop training, and all of them are still training.

“So they are willing. But it is not a matter of hesitancy, it is a matter of availability. So, when it becomes available, the guys will be taking it,” he noted.

Jamaica College’s coach, Davion Ferguson, said his team and staff are fully vaccinated.

However, Excelsior High is one school that has been forced to leave players behind because of hesitancy.

Coach Xavier Gilbert said the absence of those players will affect his team, but conceded that this is part and parcel of what is expected in the current pandemic.

OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY AGAIN

Even then, he is just happy that some will get the opportunity to play again after they missed out last season.

“We have issues with a few players, understandably, because they have concerns. It is good we have had good cooperation from the parents,” said Gilbert.

“We have six fully vaccinated, 18 have received their first dose, and another five are waiting to get vaccinated. Three players haven’t shown an intention to be vaccinated, so we have to move on,” he revealed.

“Their absence will affect us, but they understand and we understand. It is what it is. We just have to respect people’s views,” he added.

Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) President Keith Wellington said they were always going to be faced with this issue, as long as only vaccinated players are allowed to play.

However, like Gilbert, he thinks the most important thing is having the competition.

“I am not aware of who will not be playing, who wants to play, and will not play,” said Wellington. “We are providing the opportunity for students to participate, and that is the most important thing,” he said.

Wellington hopes that in the near future, both vaccinated and vaccine-hesitant students can compete alongside each other without fear or concern.

“We would have wanted as many people as possible to grasp that opportunity (to play), but it is a choice (vaccination) that everyone has to make,” he said. “ISSA believes the best way to stage the competition is with vaccinated persons only.

“We don’t know what the future holds, but if sometime in the future there is another way to deal with COVID, where it is safe for others to participate, then we will certainly allow them to participate,” he noted.

“But right now we believe there is an opportunity for some people to play, and we have a responsibility to provide the opportunity for those who are willing to make that choice,” he maintained.

“We understand some not wanting to get vaccinated, but we hope in the future the opportunity will present itself for them to participate, whether as vaccinated or unvaccinated players.”