Sports Scope

Fred Sturrup

Guardian Columnist/Sales Executive

The infighting in the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association continues to boil. This is the situation despite the announcement by BLTA President Derron Donaldson that he is seeking the service of an independent mediator, aimed at ending the fussing.

If there is an individual casualty thus far, it's Dentry Mortimer who was appointed to head the junior program of the BLTA.

When a high volume of communications, clearly demonstrating that the BLTA is a fractured organization, began floating around the social media, Mortimer unfortunately was the only person to be penalized.

Was that fair?

He was accused of giving BLTA "inside" information to the media. Well, I personally received a great deal of information, sent out by several BLTA executives, the president and his secretary included.

Why was Mortimer, alone, reportedly penalized? In the batch of BLTA communications widely circulated, were email messages far more out of order than anyone could legitimately claim Mortimer's to be.

In the case of Mortimer, the communications I got were when he felt the need to defend himself.

However at the outset of the avalanche of emails, it wasn't Mortimer who was the sender of the most irresponsible communications, "behavior detrimental to the organization."

Why was Mortimer singled out?

Thus far, the BLTA has not yet explained the "detrimental behavior to the organization's health" it charged Mortimer with.

Again, this is most unfair because it has left the general public in The Bahamas and others in the wider world who participate religiously in the social media, wondering about the character of Mortimer.

This is grossly wrong. The responsible manner in which to issue a penalty is to explain fully the reasoning. This has not yet been done in the case of Mortimer.

Donaldson is thus challenged to "fully explain" the action taken against Mortimer in the interest of fairness.

In the meantime, Mortimer is left to continue defending his character.

He recently issued the following statement:

"I maintain that I have done nothing wrong to have a statement about me that (terminated the relationship of Dentry Mortimer, 1st vice president on the Executive Board, for behavior detrimental to the organization's health) released to the press and public by the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association.

I think this was an attempt to defame my character. They found it necessary to make a public statement, but we live in a democratic society and I have the right to defend myself and make (my own) statements.

"The statement that the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association released can be interpreted in many negative ways. If they are unable or unwilling to list these (alleged) infractions, then the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association owes me a public apology. (I see) their actions with regard to my termination (as) unconstitutional and illegal.

"I maintain that all I did was stand up for junior players who deserve and need an opportunity to receive (government) subvention to assist in their development.

"If this behavior is considered detrimental to the organization's health, then I will continue to fight for this cause."

Well, in the absence of the promised explanation from the BLTA regarding his "termination" Mortimer's case seems quite strong.

The BLTA sorely needs a mediator, indeed.

* To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com.