THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM not a Jamaican by birth but my parents are and so I find myself writing out of disappointment with the recent Jamaican football tour. Apart from the dismal match results, I found the additional shenanigans caused me just as much irritation. The tour seemed to be an object lesson in unprofessional conduct as opposed to marketing the Jamaican team 'on the international stage' as remarked by Wendell Downswell before leaving.
After a 4-1 thrashing by Ghana, I can't understand the logic of a team being 'quite confident' just before facing England. Although London born, I still find it difficult to support England. I expect professionals to base predictions on known strengths and weakness rather than spurious and naïve reasoning. We all understand that history and politics can be motivating factors as exemplified by Iran v USA (France 98) and Senegal v France (Korea/Japan 02). But Iran and Senegal made their statements on the pitch with their football boots. They gave their reasons for being motivated after the battle, not before.
GET RID OF THAT NAME
My second gripe lies with the curfew breaking and the team's embarrassingly late arrival for the Ghana match. Is this how the Jamaican team markets itself on the international stage? I suggest that the tour shows the Reggae Boyz are not to be taken seriously on or off of the pitch. Compare that with the image you get of Jamaica's professional athletes.
I have also never had much faith in the Jamaican national football team since the moment I learned their nickname was 'The Reggae Boyz'. To me it reeked of two things. One: insipidly climbing on the back of a tired formula i.e. Jamaica = Reggae, full stop. Two: connotations of immaturity, partly due to the spelling of Boyz.
BUSINESS ON THE FIELD
A cursory glance at the names of their last two opponents will illustrate my point. England has 'Lions' and Ghana has 'Black Stars' (named incidentally from the black star on their flag which ironically was put there - on an African flag, mind you - in remembrance of the ideas of one Rt. Excellent Marcus Garvey). These names imply that England and Ghana mean business on the football field.
Jamaica will never pull its socks up as long as it carries the psychological stumbling block of that clichéd 'sun, sea and sex' name.
After the debacle in England the team needs a reincarnation. We need a name that stirs up courage and motivates each team member and the nation as a whole. You simply can't be going out to war telling yourself you're some kind of boy. You're supposed to be convinced you're a warrior.
I am, etc.,
KEVIN GAYLE
gaylekevin@hotmail.com
Providenciales,
Turks and Caicos Islands
Via Go-Jamaica
