Fix the root cause, ISSA

THE NEW restriction on the influx of overseas student-athletes probably won’t help much. That’s because an earlier ruling has already blocked the way.

In 2020, the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association responded to stories of abuse to student-athletes and wildcat recruiting, by voting to restrict movement between schools. In athletics, that translated to the eligibility of only two transferred athletes per class age group category, per school. The grow-where-you’re-planted lobby rejoiced but there were dissenting voices.

A University of the West Indies study, by Dr Rachel Irving, recommended that the measure be delayed while less endowed schools had their infrastructure improved. When the changes were announced, Irving, a research fellow at the UWI, advised ISSA to wait before implementing them. Irving projected that Jamaica would lose its edge in global sprinting and that youngsters will lose scholarship opportunities if the quota system was introduced too soon.

“Only six per cent of those who run at the elite junior level transition to the senior level,” she explained.

NOT EQUIPPED FOR TRANSITION

“Most of those who transition are from the athletic schools. As a matter of fact, looking at the data, about 0.05 per cent of those are from the schools that aren’t equipped for transition,” she revealed in an interview with The Gleaner.

The new system was implemented anyway.

With Jamaica’s success in track and field, a beacon, more student-athletes from the Caribbean found their way here. In addition, with the evolution of the education sector eliminating all-age, secondary and extension schools, where many noted athletes were found, and the increased restriction on local transfers, many looked overseas.

Those restrictions and older ones, like the one-year ineligibility period for those moving before they reach fifth form, are still in force. By contrast, overseas students were able to compete in ISSA events with immediate effect.

Irving’s warning still rings true. Until the infrastructure of less-endowed schools is brought up to par, until they can afford feeding programmes, equipment and support services like injury rehab, the 2020 vote can bind young prospects to schools that aren’t yet able to help them fulfil their true potential. That won’t change much with the overseas student-athletes gone.

Staying put without a decent grass track to train on, without jump pits filled with sand, in training programmes shorn of hurdles and starting blocks is a ticket to nowhere, for all except the most blessed.

There is one logical step forward. ISSA should fix the root cause by increasing the number of transferred student-athletes who can compete for their new schools from two per school per class to three or four. Until the infrastructure gap is closed, that will enable more Jamaican student-athletes to reach for scholarships and sporting success.

Abuse is unacceptable, and transfers should be monitored, and violators punished. However, had the original restriction not been so tight, the new one might not have been needed.

Hubert Lawrence has made notes at trackside since 1980.