western bureau

On Tuesday afternoon, the nation's newest sporting star, Dexter Lee, returned home to a hero's welcome from the 12th IAAF World Junior Championship, in Poland, where he had the enviable distinction of becoming the first Jamaican male sprinter to win the 100m gold medal at this level.

While he must have been elated to see his family, students and teachers from his school Herbert Morrison and the media there to meet him, being the bright and aware young man he is, he must have felt somewhat slighted that nobody from the city's officialdom - political, business and civic leadership - were there.

great shame

Although there might be many and varied reasons why the city fathers were not at the Sangster International Airport to welcome home young Lee and pay respect, to his notable achievement, I think it is a great shame, because these are some of the same people, who regularly heap scorn on those youngsters who fall by the proverbial wayside.

In my disappointment at not seeing anybody from officialdom at the airport, there was one extremely bright spark that brought some amount of joy. It was just fantastic to see airport workers, some vacating their various work stations to join those smothering young Lee with hugs and kisses as he made his way from the airport's arrival area.

While it could be argued that the city might yet do something to honour Lee, I am one who subscribes to the view that, "the first impression is the most lasting one." It therefore goes without saying that I believe those in officialdom missed the boat and as a citizen of the city of Montego Bay, I found it most embarrassing.

In looking at this situation with Dexter Lee, it caused me to reflect on another situation that occurred at the start of the week. After being provided with a fixture stating that St. James would be using Jarrett Park for their home games in the Western Inter-Parish football competition, I turned up at Jarrett Park on Sunday to hear that the game was being played at the UDC playing field.

insulting answer

When I got to the UDC venue and enquired as to why the venue had been changed, I learnt that the St James FA was not able to afford the cost of the rental for the facility. I found that answer most revolting if not insulting, because while I can understand clubs being charged to use the facility, I think the parish team should be exempted from all payment.

One could argue that the maintenance of the park costs money and while that is true, the residents of St James are paying land taxes for the upkeep of infrastructure in the parish and these footballers, whether they are achieving great results or not, are out there representing the people of St James.

While I am not a 'born a bay', I have been living in Montego Bay long enough to know that Jarrett Park was given to the people of St James to help promote the development of sports. So as to ensure its orderly use, the St. James Parish Council (StJPC) was given oversight responsibility for the facility.

I am sure that had the StJPC had a proper understanding of the vision the Kerr-Jarrett family had for the development of sports in St James when they donated the lands for Jarrett Park, I am sure that clause, stipulating that parish teams use the facility free of cost, would be affixed to the covenant governing the use of the facility.

It is difficult to develop an appreciation for the work of the city fathers when we continue to see situations such as the snobbish treatment of young Dexter Lee and the lack of proper recognition of the various sporting teams who go out to compete under the St James banner.

NB. Feel free to send your feedback to

adrianfrater@hotmail.com