High school sports has lost its purpose

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Gone are the days when children from the same neighbourhood, who ended up attending different high schools, could have good-natured conversations about which school was better at track and field or football and could point to their friends as members of their respective school teams. These days, they see youngsters playing for their school and have no idea who they are or where they are from.

The importation of students from African and Caribbean countries into our high schools simply to win Champs, the DaCosta Cup or the Manning Cup has made a mockery of what used to be Jamaican high-school sports.

It seems that there are no great high-school teams anymore. What we now have are successful track-and-field and football clubs operating out of many of our high schools. High-school sports are now about winning and little else. What is especially troubling is that this trend is being driven by adults whose concern is not the future of these imported youngsters, but the glory of winning now.

The importation of kids from other countries into our high schools just to win champs, Dacosta Cup or Manning Cup has made a mockery of what used to be Jamaican high school sports.

To get their money’s worth, every schoolboy football match and Champs event has become a major branding exercises. What happened to the days when sponsors contributed in the name of good corporate citizenship and for the benefit of our youth, without attempting to extract value from every dollar spent? The kids have become brand ambassadors whether or not they want to. I’m not suggesting the sponsors should not be recognized, they should. But we are now at an extreme level.

The net effect of this win-at-any-cost culture has been the erosion of tradition and a blurring of the lines between schools and clubs. ISSA and the government need to step in and stop the madness. Tradition is important, and should remain a part of our high-school sports culture. This is the Jamaican high-school championship, and it should remain so. DaCosta and Manning Cup are Jamaican school boy championships and should remain so. Tradition is important and should remain a part of our high school sports culture. To show up in Jamaica and play a season or two of high-school sports gives a kid no real attachment to the school.

Schools should compete with students who are legitimately enrolled, not those brought in for a quick win. Sports is an important metaphor for life and should be used appropriately in the educational process. High-school sports are not professional sports, and should not be treated as such.

It is time to take a serious look at what we are teaching our children through sports.

SHAKEY WILLIAMS