media_artricles :: 2015

Battling the barrier

English-speaking woes at AIPS America Games

By the time you read this, the 2nd AIPS America Games would be well under way in the Amazon city of Manaus, in northern Brazil.

After a full day of flying, on Sunday, from Piarco to Tobago to Barbados, down to Sao Paulo, and then back up to Manaus, I got in some much-needed sleep on Monday morning.

The AIPS America Games provides sports journalists from the Western Hemisphere the opportunity to compete against each other. I took part in the first edition, in Medellin, Colombia two years ago, and returned home with table tennis silver.

One Caribbean Media (OCM), the parent group of Caribbean Communications Network (CCN), facilitated my participation in Medellin. I lived the life of an elite athlete for six days, an experience that deepened my appreciation of the men and women who sacrifice year-round in order to bring glory to the Red, White and Black.

OCM has again thrown its support behind me. I’m truly grateful, and will give my all as I represent OCM and Trinidad and Tobago here in the Amazon rainforest.

The Medellin Games proved a challenge. As the only participant from an English-speaking country, the language barrier created problems.

Two years later, I have the same challenge. After coming out of a Monday afternoon meeting, I was no better off in terms of information.

You’ve heard about being grateful for small mercies. Now that I’m in Manaus, without any clear understanding of when and where I will be able to practise, my appreciation of the Medellin logistics has been heightened. I stayed at a hotel in the Colombian city that was across the road from the playing venue. So, once I got a training partner, preparation ahead of the competition wasn’t an issue.

Hopefully, this practice problem will soon be resolved. As it is now, I have been unable to schedule a training session. But, it’s only Monday afternoon, so no need to panic…yet.

In the interim, I’ve been getting to know my surroundings.

My father had visited Manaus some 30/40 years ago on a work assignment, and was told the city had a reputation for rainfall every day of the year. So, I was not surprised when I looked out of my Amazonia Tower Hotel eighth floor window, and saw a drizzle. The road was wet, but I still ventured out a few blocks.

There was not much to see in the immediate vicinity of the hotel. However, later in the day I laid my eyes on the beautiful Amazon Arena, one of the 2014 FIFA World Cup venues.

The AIPS America Games Futsal competition is being played at a facility adjoining the Amazon

Arena. And while there was no Cristiano Ronaldo on show on Monday, or any of the other big names that graced the stadium last year, the intensity was high.

No South or Central American football team will go down without a fight. Ecuador battled hard before going under to Chile. Mexico beat a gutsy Paraguay. And Guatemala gave an honest effort but were no match for defending champions Colombia.

It’s 7.30 p.m. on Monday, and I’m back at the hotel. According to the information that has come to me, the table tennis tournament will serve off on Tuesday afternoon. I’m writing for Wednesday’s Express, so by the time you grab hold of this newspaper I might have more news for you about my AIPS America Games participation.

I was told I could practise on Tuesday morning. We’ll see how that goes. Hopefully, there’ll be someone to train with. My clubmate and close friend, Collin Cudjoe was actually exploring the possibility of travelling to Manaus to train with me and coach me. Unfortunately, though, the cost of the airline ticket proved prohibitive.

Collin did offer some advice before I made the long trek to Manaus. And so did former Caribbean men’s doubles champion Anthony “Sandfly” Brown. I practised with Brown on Saturday, and was on the receiving end of some of his powerful forehand bombs. But don’t feel sorry for me, for I’m now prepared for anything.

Hernando Suarez is the 2013 gold medallist and the Colombian is here to defend his crown.

I’ll be doing everything in my power to ensure that he does not repeat as AIPS America Games

table tennis champion.

Hernando is a known quantity. But what about the unknowns? I’ll cross those bridges when I reach them. For now, it’s off to the opening ceremony.

I’m back. The opening was a simple “light the cauldron” ceremony that signalled the official start of the 2nd AIPS America Games. Nowthat the formalities are out of the way, it’s time to get in my zone.

Love-all!

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