Dublanc, Dominica: The fans of Dublanc Football Club suggested the club management pay attention to the safety and security of the athletes. Kerry Shilingford, a Dublanc resident, noted that The safety and well-being of athletes should always be a top priority in any sport. Unfortunately, it seems that this is not the case in matches governed by the Dominica Football Association (DFA).
He wrote an article expressing concern about the lack of attention given to player health and safety and recommended measures that could be taken to address this issue. However, recent events have shown that the DFA needs to take these recommendations seriously.
He made these remarks after a match between CCCUL Dublanc FC and Harlem United Sports Club, Dublanc FC goalkeeper Jerome Burkard was injured in the 56th minute and had to wait for 29 minutes before an ambulance could arrive to transport him to a healthcare facility.
He said, “This is unacceptable and not an isolated incident. It has been reported that in several matches played at the Dublanc playing field, injured players had to be transported to the Portsmouth Hospital via private transportation due to the unavailability of an ambulance and the time it would take for one to arrive”.
The DFA does not take the health and well-being of players seriously, especially given that most players in these amateur matches have little to no benefit from playing.
It raises the question of what the funds provided by FIFA are used for, as it is clear that healthcare is not a part of the budget. This is unacceptable and must be addressed.
Shilingford demanded that it is time for the clubs to take a stand and demand that the DFA provides professional medical personnel at future matches. This should not be negotiable.
The DFA is responsible for ensuring that players are safe and healthy, and it is the clubs’ responsibility to hold the association accountable for meeting this responsibility.
He noted that it is also important to note that the lack of attention to player health and safety is a concern for the athletes, their families, and their loved ones.
These players have families and friends who care about them and want to see them return home safely after a match. A lot of the players are the breadwinners in their households.
In conclusion, the recent incident with Dublanc FC goalkeeper Jerome Burkard highlights the urgent need for the DFA to prioritise the health and well-being of players. The clubs must also take a stand and demand that.
