debut: 3/18/05
309 runs
In reply to Chrissy
It is such an unfair comparison to make, and it trivializes the amount of hard work and sacrifice needed before these doctors, nurses, teachers etc to get to their position. many times, they had gone through the same school system as these athletes, and depending on which countries they are from, they had to do it on their own, with no help from any government. Some of these professionals are sometimes so saddled with student loan debts that they wonder if it was worth the while. But service is most times the purpose, the objective. One other thing, most of these professionals, given the opportunity, would have opted to represent West Indies or their respective countries in track and field. There is a reason for that, there is something very special, beyond money, to represent one's country.
Today, most of them receive scholarships to boost their chances in life, beyond sports. And, when they complete their careers, it is unlikely that they would end up worst off than the many professionals mentioned above. In fact, most of these professionals who have studied, and worked hard, never got rich, but might be comfortable at best. These athletes, armed with the education opportunity that accompanied their sporting career are able to, and are often sought out state and private enterprises. They would suffer, only if they are lazy.
Many of the professionals like doctors, professors, nurses, work and study, and serve for years before they chose to leave. Some go on their own accord, others are drafted by those rich countries. But, tell me, which teacher or nurse could walk away from their job from any of the islands and take up positions in the diaspora, and then return any time they wish and say, "I am on two weeks holiday," remove the person who replaced me, or anyone, and employ me for that period? None could do that. In fact, they might stone the person. But, in the case of West Indian cricketers, they could do that. They can ignore, scorn, curse the West Indies, go all over the world and play, then walk right back into the team, and they would drop some unfortunate youth to include them. Just like Hetmyer or Russel could walk in when they wish, just so Pooran and Narine could walk out of retirement, straight into the West Indies team; in any of the formats, any time. It is not true that sports people face more adversities than the rest of us, and like in life, generally, a few full by the wayside, but does not define the general outcome.
This is not an inditement of the athletes, but the comparisons made against other professions are misplaced.
