Curtis Myrie, Contributor
SOME THINGS, they say, are better left unsaid. Others have to be said regardless of the given difficulty or discomfort. There are no partdons for the absence of roses gardens so some things must be met squarely - and stlled - with the hope and trust that all heals and will be well.
If that's your aim, you will press on despite what's perturbing. The goal is that the splintered pieces are put together again.
It's my aim and goal this Sunday morning, speaking uneasily about the apparent
strained relations between wily midfielder Theodore Whitmore and the Jamaica Football Federation. Certain things are better left unsaid -- the air needs to be cleared however so there are some things that must be said.
The Pandora's Box was opened by reported comments in the press by JFF president Captain Horace Burrell. The burly and often brazen baker made no bones about his disgust at what he viewed as unprofessional conduct by Ian Goodison, Walter Boyd and Theodore Whitmore over their commitment to the national programme.
Whitmore, publicly perceived as sober and even shy, shot back fiercely with screaming headlines in the Star publication that the comments by Burrell were 'rubbish'. Days later JFF's medical director Dr. Glenton Smith, again in bold headlines in The Star, raised the red card against Whitmore, charging the midfielder was being wayward - not making contact, not turning up for medical examination duly arranged by the federation.
Last week at a press conference by the federation, called to announce game schedule, pay structure and a spectator support group, the issue again took the floor. General secretary Horace Reid, the man whom Whitmore said, in words succinct, was the only man on the federation who really knew about the players, took the microphone - the ball shunted to him as it were by Captain Burrell. Goodison, he said, was not making it to Brazil because of funeral arrangements for his brother (our condolences) and Walter Boyd needed a new passport (arranged by Tourism and Sports Minister Portia Simpson Miller which
enabled him to have left with Burrell on Friday for Brazil).
On Theodore Whitmore he said, softly, 'I don't know'.
That comment ended the report on the conference in 'Sportswatch' on CVM Television and we were left dismayed and disturbed. Just what was going on?
Through the help of colleague and associate, Stratton Palmer, contact was made with concerned parties in St. James, home of Whitmore. Since then I've spoken to Horace Reid and Captain Burrell. My efforts to contact Whitmore have so far been unsuccessful (though I was given a number for him).
In Montego Bay on Friday for special interviews on the tourism-sports product for the investigative sports magazine 'In the Arena' on CVM TV, Palmer, on the agreement of Whitmore's advisors, was about to speak to him on the problems facing football in the West (another feature for In the Arena).
But for flight arrangements the interview would have taken place and the question would have been raised cheekily or otherwise about these grey and cloudy developments.
There is no cheek however about our word given to those we have spoken to on not taking certain tales out of school. Certain things are going to be left unsaid for it's not our intent to violate what is confidential and off the record. First however let this be said - no one's interest is served, not that of the individual, the federation nor the football loving people of this country by being unbending about meeting to resolve an issue.
They are limits to the benefits of a sustained stand off. If even in camera, parties must meet in attempting to find a breakthrough. How ironic that Horace Reid, reported to be the man knowing about the players was left still waiting to see Whitmore after a weekend in Montego Bay.
Yet this is not about laying blame. It's not what we look for in the mirror this morning.
We simply wish to remind all of their roles and responsibilities. 'Tappa', as you are known affectionately, let me in earnest remind you of how you're held in high esteem.
From when we started filling the stands we took note of your humility, your refrain from being haughty. Never thought you were one to be manipulated but we held dearly your quiet dignity. Quarreled even with Simoes about how you were not more positioned as a roving and attacking midfielder - and for the game you played and the mind and manner you displayed there were many among us, including myself, who would have given you the captain's armband. That, Tappa, is an image to be maintained and sustained.
Whatever the grouse this type of maturity, demonstrably, is expected from you, Theodore Whitmore, in the attempts to resolve disputes, and we also welcome the reported efforts of Rev. Al Miller, the team's spiritual adviser, in seeking to mend the fences.
Try as the federation might, we know that the road to the next World Cup is still quite rocky. There are still a number of cracks with regards to player-administration relations. Feverishly are there efforts being made to resolve these concerned issues.
Time now to come together. Time to heal. Time to be truly trustworthy and sincere. Time to put the pieces together again. And that's clearly what needs to be said.
Curtis Myrie is a sports journalist and marketer, specialising in promotional campaigns, advertising, television production and publication.
