Laurie Foster | Three big disappointments in 2018

Cited last week were what one hopes were solid arguments in support of Foster's Fairplay's choice for the top sporting moment of 2018. A much stiffer challenge was faced in arriving at the most disappointing sporting story during the period. Three situations come readily to mind.

Firstly, there is the continuing disintegration of the West Indies cricket team in all formats. It continues to tug at the heartstrings. Reflecting on the days of past glory going back to the '70s, the question should be asked, "have we really shrunk to this little measure where a victory over bottom-of-the-pack Bangladesh is greeted with tumultuous applause? The sad thing here is that no one can come up with even a reasonably sounding suggestion as to how the slide should be addressed.

There is another matter that rubbed this columnist the wrong way. It is the manner in which some of our sporting minds are treating the matter of racial discrimination in the sporting arena. It is as though the abuse of black players, in whatever form, should be glossed over as if 'a nuh nutten'. This distasteful commentary has gone on for some time. It has resurfaced. This comes after an incident at an English Premier League game during which racial slurs were directed on Jamaica-born Raheem Sterling. What angers this columnist even more is the idea that the fact that they are receiving a more than decent wage, should make them simply 'hug it up' and get on with the game. This is a very sad commentary in the view of this columnist. The fact that these instances continue to take place is a source of major disappointment. How should this scourge on sport be treated? Maybe the solution lies in stiffer penalties, including loss of points when the abusers and, by extension, the clubs they support are identified. This should not pose a challenge to law enforcers. Modern technology, which can minutely monitor every move, is that powerful.

DISGRACEFUL

That said, the final decision as to the top-ranker in the title under consideration goes to the still unsettled impasse between the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and the Craig Butler group. After months of end-to-end emotive verbal exchange between the two parties, the squabble is not over. For two sides charged with the responsibility to develop and empower young talents, it is nothing short of disgraceful.

Let us not make any distinction and lay more blame at the feet of one or the other party. This matter should not be allowed to rest on whether the Butler boys play for the country of their birth or not. The precious time spent on aimless foot-dragging should be refocused on arriving at a decision one way or the other. Right now, the country's football is suffering a "black eye." Who wants the nation to be seen in a laughable situation, simply because big men seem not to be able to make up their minds on what should be a simple matter? It seems that both parties are quite comfortable with this unwholesome outcome.

Come on, JFF. You are the governing body. If you understand what that means, you will quickly realise that it is your call to show the leadership that is necessary. Do not take your hands off the reins of the sport. That is the position for which you campaigned and were elected.

Take a firmer hold on the controls so that you will no longer be mentioned as the greatest disappointment of any future year.

Foster's Fairplay ends on a note of extreme sadness. It has been announced that well-lettered 100m hurdler for Jamaica Dionne Marie Rose-Henly passed away last week. She held her own in an event that was populated by women whose surnames ended with '- ec', '-enko' or '-ova'. A lot more could be said of this admirable athlete. Foster's Fairplay will confine it to, "She had impeccably good manners, and above all, she knew how to say thanks."

Rest well, Dionne.

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