A Letter from the Ground

Has the government abandoned Pamenos Ballantyne?

By

Candy Edwards

Introduction

On Friday May 27, 2005 The Searchlight carried a very interesting story on page 44 about one of our national athletes, Pamenos Ballantyne, under the caption: New coach for star athlete. The story suggests that the ace long distance runner may soon migrate to the United States purportedly to work with a US coach. Apparently, there is much more to the story than the paper was willing to publish. This is indeed a disturbing development for it appears that Mr. Ballantyne is being forced to leave St. Vincent and the Grenadines because of the insurmountable problems that he now encounters with both the authorities in government and those in the athletics association.

The Pamenos Ballantyne story as told in the Searchlight led me to reflect on the government’s contribution to sports development since taking office over four years ago. At the beginning of its term, the administration did enunciate some commendable initiatives that could have had a significant impact on the performance of sports persons in the state. However, the plight of Pamenos Ballantyne should send off some alarm bells among sporting enthusiasts. His situation reflects a sad tale of broken promises and unmet expectations.

Listeners may recall that Pamenos Ballantyne used his overwhelming popularity as a national athlete to endorse the present administration and its policies during the campaign for the 2001 general elections. He was compelled to do so in response to the years of neglect from the previous administration despite his tremendous achievements as an athlete throughout the region. Today, Pamenos Ballantyne appears disillusioned and frustrated. He now plans to migrate since there is little for him to do in the country of his birth.

The talk on the ground is that Pamenos and other sport persons in a similar position may well expose the rotten underbelly of the government’s much vaunted sports policy. It therefore begs the question: Has the government abandoned Pamenos Ballantyne?

The Government’s Approach to Sports Development

I think that every serious sports person eagerly welcomed this administration into office on March 29, 2005. Prior to taking office, much was said to convince sports lovers that their concerns would be treated with priority from the very outset. Among the proposals adopted and enunciated were:

1. improvement and expansion in sporting facilities throughout the country;
2. financial and material support for all recognized sporting associations;
3. recognition for national sporting personalities at home and abroad;
4. employment and/or education for persons who represent the country in recognized sporting events; and
5. emphasis on physical education in the nation’s schools

These initiatives are enshrined in the National Sports Policy that was adopted soon after the government assumed office. Perhaps, the measures that resonated most with young sports men and women were the plans to recognize and honour them for national sporting duties on a regular basis and the guarantee of employment and education for those persons who represent the country in any sporting discipline at the competitive level.

The government’s position is detailed in the National Sports Policy as follows:

The policy further states that

Even in cases where persons do not have the necessary qualifications, the policy provides as follows:

Not only were these policies written on paper, they were also publicly enunciated by senior government officials from time to time. Furthermore, notable sports personalities such as Halimah Deshong, Cameron Cuffy, and the said Pamenos Ballantyne have all benefited from the implementation of these initiatives. Even the staunchest critics of the administration have to admit that the recognition of national athletes in such tangible ways is indeed commendable. However, like many other good schemes introduced by this administration the policy in question has its shortcomings.

Apparently, the government has failed to apply this commendable policy equally across the board. It is alleged that scholarships, training and jobs are guaranteed only to those athletes who are known supporters of the party in government. Thus, while some persons may have benefited from the programme, there are a significant number of athletes and sport persons who have represented the country at the highest levels and are still unemployed and have no access to training or scholarships. It appears as if the policy applies only to supporters of the Unity Labour Party.

The Case of Pamenos Ballantyne

Pamenos Ballantyne’s situation is quite peculiar. It is generally known that he is an ardent supporter of the government. Pamenos was used extensively on the political rostrum during the elections of 2001. I do not think that it should be held against him for that it his democratic right as a citizen. Soon after the elections, Pamenos along with some other sporting personalities were named goodwill ambassadors and awarded a diplomatic passport. He was also employed by the National Sports Council as spokesperson on sporting matters geared towards the youth. According to the Searchlight, however, Pamenos has been unemployed for the past nine months.

During this time Pamenos has had to train and compete across the region at tremendous personal sacrifice. One wonders what could have gone so wrong such that the authorities appear unwilling or unable to come to his aid in keeping with the stated policy on the recognition of outstanding national athletes. Something is terribly wrong if a national icon such as Pamenos Ballantyne is made to go for nine months without employment. Yet, he continues to represent the country well at home and abroad. Is the Hon Minister of Sports aware of the situation? What about the Hon Prime Minister? Have they been advised of the difficulties that Pamenos must endure as an unemployed athlete who still struggles against all odds to make the country proud? I would like to think that neither the Minister nor the Prime Minister was informed. Pamenos is in need of a job and he needs it now!

Migration Plans

Although it is not explicitly stated in the Searchlight story, one could sense that Pamenos’ plan to leave St. Vincent for an extended period was born out of frustration. He continues to do extremely well at his sport up to this point. One hardly believes that a US coach would add anything of significance to his ability. I believe that Pamenos prefers to remain in St. Vincent and the Grenadines where he honed his skills. He is a good patriot. However, in the absence of the necessary conditions, Pamenos feels compelled to leave the country.

There are some persons who may wish to see him go, not because they think that that is better for the young man, but because they have had enough of his idiosyncrasies. To such persons, Pamenos’ departure would be welcomed. These are among the people who have put tremendous obstacles in his way over the years because of his forthright and outspoken nature. Ballantyne’s critics do not care that his flight to the USA would be a loss to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Conclusion

It would really be a crying shame if Pamenos has to leave this country out of frustration. He has achieved a great deal over the years for St. Vincent and the Grenadines and has the potential to do even more. He has been used by politicians to achieve their own ends, now in his hour of greatest need they appear unwilling or unable to provide the appropriate support to this national icon. The talk on the ground is that since Pamenos lost his regular income, he has been pushed around and ignored by the athletics association, his own manager, the Minister of Sports and even the Prime Minister. I think we should use today’s discussion to call for a change in the situation. Pamenos is a national sporting icon. He needs our support. Let us call on the authorities to do the right thing. Do not abandon Pamenos Ballantyne!

Sincerely

Candy Edwards

June 04, 2005.