The recent accusations of bias in the ISSA/Wata daCosta Cup football competition have raised questions about fairness and transparency in school sports competitions.
JASFORD Gabriel, principal of Manchester High School, has raised concerns about the advantage given to St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) in the competition. He pointed out that STETHS, led by ISSA President Keith Wellington, was among three runners-up who got two home games in the second round of the competition. This raised suspicions of preferential treatment for certain schools.
Gabriel questioned the process that led to the qualifiers from Zone E, including STETHS, ending up in such a favorable position. He expressed disappointment in the lack of transparency and fairness in the decision-making process of ISSA.
Efforts to address the issue internally were unsuccessful, leading Gabriel to take his concerns public. He emphasized the importance of a level playing field for all teams in the competition and called for greater accountability and oversight within ISSA.
The controversy surrounding the daCosta Cup competition highlights the need for clearer guidelines and oversight in school sports competitions. In order to maintain the integrity of these competitions, it is essential that all participating schools are treated fairly and equitably.
