Morgan bemoans the lack of interest in Athletics

Rawlson Morgan, the Games Secretary of Team Athletics SVG, cited a lack of interest for the poor turnout at last Saturday’s Mustique Company National Club Championship at the Arnos Vale One Playing Field.{{more}}

The championship, which is supposed to be the premier showdown among the Track and Field units here, more resembled a mini-meet, normally held on Saturdays by TASVG.

Answering the summons were units IT- Dat, X- Cel, X- Ceed Sports Club, Wings and Great Head, as well as two schools – the Girls’ High School and the Bishop’s College Kingstown.

A disappointed Morgan told SEARCHLIGHT last Saturday: “It is just a general lack of interest”.

Morgan said that signs of such nonchalance about the championship were visible from the hosting of the heats.

“When we had the heats, information was sent out on the television, radio and by the Internet (e-mail) and during the heats hardly anyone turned up, but we felt it was because the heats were held during the school holidays,” Morgan stated.

Laying blame all round, Morgan added: “Information was also sent to the coaches; I went around talking to people personally and it seems since inter school, everyone thinks that it is the end of the world,” the TASVG Games Secretary said.

Not only did last Saturday have a sprinkling of participants, but there was a scarcity of officials, as Morgan pointed to their disinterest as well.

“As a matter of fact we even invited officials from the Division of Sports for technical help and especially the Director of Sports to be here, but we were told we were not serious, as Carnival was launching and they can’t be around and as you can see we are struggling with officials all day,” he revealed.

Morgan also conceded that the hosting of the three One Day International Cricket matches here back in March, meant that the championship had to be pushed back, which could have resulted in persons losing enthusiasm.

Undaunted by the negative response, Morgan said that this Saturday, Team Athletics SVG will be back at the Arnos Vale One Playing Field, hosting a team’s competition for the age group 13 to 15 years old, with each team comprising six males and six female athletes.

Outlining the other event, Morgan said, “On the 19th we have the Kids In Athletics and that will be held at the Calliaqua Playing Field and all information concerning these things have been sent out already”.

But still uncertain about the possible response, Morgan concluded: “We have to see how the interest goes from there”. (RT)