AFNA Netball opening was totally classless

08.AUG.08

Editor: Classless. Yes, that is the description of the AFNA Netball Opening ceremony on Sunday, July 20th, 2008. For an event that was being talked about for so many months, there is simply no other word that comes to mind to sum up that disaster but Classless. That coordinating committee spells mediocrity.{{more}} On that note, the computer given by the Taiwanese to be raffled during the Tournament was NOT raffled. Let’s hope it does not find its way in someone’s home INADVERTENTLY. Items given for an event must be used as designated, if not, dishonesty enters the picture.

Now that the AFNA Netball Tournament is over, time for a score sheet. Imagine, no one was designated to receive the Governor General’s Deputy. Then a jeans and tee-shirt wearing individual decided to receive her, notwithstanding her inappropriate dress. Local Netball Association, learn this: One must be circumspectly attired when receiving Heads of State and NEVER keep the GG or the Deputy waiting. The event commences when that individual arrives. Remember that.

The music played during the march past was horrible, to put it mildly, but was just fitting for the Vincentian team to show off their “winding” ability. As for the music played during the actual inspection of teams, God help us. It must be noted it was quite obvious by the look on the faces of the Deputy Chief Education Officer and Minister Mike Browne that they were both horrified and disgusted. What a colossal disaster that opening ceremony, which was finally punctuated by the “hooliganistic” play by Team SVG! Canada should have played SVG on Friday instead of Sunday. Team SVG would have placed 6th. Were persons designated to do particular jobs for that ceremony briefed? Obviously not.

As for the Entertainment segment, that was a no-no for Sunday afternoon, especially with the obese children. They needed a decent shirt. Normally, that particular dance group is wonderful with its choreography, I was disappointed on Sunday. In a society where moral values are decaying rapidly, we should try not to showcase too much “winding” among our young children. As for the Vote of Thanks, that individual needs to understand that she should not digress from what has been written for her and tha she should have read it over prior to the event. Did she hear herself? Next time the author should truthfully tell her to shut up after fumbling through his words.

Team SVG was the most unfit team displayed in the history of Netball as far as I can remember. Their behaviour left much to be desired. During the break on Wednesday, in the Jamaica-SVG match, instead of strategising, two members could not resist getting up off the floor to annoy the already annoyed Vincentian public with their poor display of “winding” again to the sick musical interlude of the DJ. Are these netballers aware of the image they portrayed? It is time for some serious introspection. Sometimes it is wise for folks to know when to bow out. You cannot handle the job; let someone with the aptitude do it.

Can you imagine a programme filled with names of persons who are either not in the state, have said no to the task requested of them or simply are not interested in the Tournament. It is alleged that one could have applied for a position as a liaison officer. What utter rubbish! We can all laugh now.

One word sums up the Opening Ceremony and the Team SVG, Classless. There were simply too many “faux pas” at the opening ceremony, and they continued throughout the course of the Tournament. Do your homework now, SVG Netball Association.

La Belle Marcelle