By Morissa Lindsay
Barbadian rower Christian Howard is left feeling mentally and emotionally drained after he did not receive funding to attend a high-performance training camp in Peru which is geared towards his preparation for the 2022 World Rowing Coastal Championship and Beach Sprints.
While the World Championship is scheduled for October 7th to 16th in Wales, Howard was banking on getting in as many high-performance training as possible in Peru, El Salvador and Ecuador to increase his chances of getting on the podium when he competes on the big stage.
“This present moment is mentally and emotionally draining to see as a young man I came so far throughout my rowing career to such a high level and to know that I’m not getting the necessary support that is needed to go Peru to get myself competition ready for world games is a huge disappointment.
“Though I am home from the last trip, I have been training hard and pushing myself and was looking forward to go back to Peru; and to see that I am still home is emotionally and mentally draining although I was grateful and thankful for the opportunity to go support my country,” A disappointed Howard expressed to Barbados Today saying, Howard told Barbados TODAY.
A few weeks ago president of the Rowing Association of Barbados (RAB), Dr Anthony Yarde made an appeal and said it would cost an estimated BDS$70, 000 to get Howard the training he needs as well as to compete in England at the World Championships.
At the time Yarde spoke with Barbados TODAY he explained that it initially cost BDS$100, 000 and they went through great lengths to cut the cost significantly.
However, the reality is that Howard who was supposed to be in Peru since last Saturday, is stuck in Barbados and may be forced to forfeit his qualification at the 2022 World Rowing Coastal Championship and Beach Sprints.
As it stands the RAB is in no financial position to lend assistance to Howard and the Barbados Olympic Association has been more than generous but is in no position to contribute at the moment, Yarde revealed.
The RAB president was also banking on the financial assistance of other sporting entities but as it stands that has not come through and all that Howard has trained for is in jeopardy of being washed away.
morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb
