Overblown sportsman, woman of the year

THERE is always excitement when Jamaicans are asked to speculate on which personalities will be named sportsman and sportswoman of the year, especially when the performances are outstanding and close in value.

This year, for example, when the RJR Gleaner Sports Foundation holds its event, the people are being asked to hold their collective breath as to which man and woman will triumph. But is it close at all for anyone to think that the top two prizes will not go to the most outstanding male and female of 2021? In this case, the Americans would say ‘big deal.’

If there is someone out there who can beat Hansle Parchment for sportsman of the year; and Elaine Thompson Herah for the women’s title, then they can step forward and be recognised right away.

It is meaningless to be promoting this thing about who the RJR Gleaner national sportsman and sportswoman of the year will be, when it is clear that it must be the two aforementioned. The foundation should henceforth, when the winners are clear cut, announce them right away, and build up a promotion around the secondary and special awards. To continue with wanting people to believe that a man who won a bronze medal at the Olympic Games can win over a gold medallist at the same event, is kindergarten thinking.

Would the selection committee choose fellow athlete Shelly Fraserpryce, or cricketer Stafanie Taylor over Thompson-herah who won three gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics? No… unless the members require mental examinations.

The RJR Gleaner team needs to get things right. When obvious decisions are to be made, they ought to be made with minimum excitement and fuss.