THE EDITOR, Sir:

I AM absolutely amazed at the regularity of the hogging of the spotlight by the prime minister and the minister in charge of sports since the exemplary display by the Jamaican Olympians.

One finds it hard to remember when last the politicians did anything tremendous for the development of sports, except the collection of betting taxes through the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education Fund, and distributing the same.

PM can make amends

Ironically, the bulk of the schools sports programmes are funded through the collection of auxiliary fees and other fundraising methods by the principals, teachers and parents. Without those efforts, most of our athletes would not have reached Beijing. The least the prime minister can do is to atone for his comments about schools "extorting auxiliary fees". These are the funds used to pay the sports-related "auxiliary expenses" for all students to continue this exciting positive development in our athletes, who are the products of our grossly underfunded school system.

I am, etc.,

WILBERT WITTER

Vilma Ave

Kingston 20