… Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire tells GOA Awards ceremony
“Backing words with action can see Guyana achieve more medals at the Olympics, Commonwealth and other international games.” These were the words of Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire when she delivered the feature address at the Guyana Olympic Association’s (GOA) Appreciation and Awards ceremony that was held at the Georgetown Club, Camp Street, last Friday evening.Justice George-Wiltshire in a thought provoking address said the Rio 2016 Olympics is just two years away and if there is a commitment to continue the conversation that was started at the recently concluded Public Forum “backing words with actions, I have no doubt that Guyana would be well on the way to achieving more medals at future Olympic, Commonwealth and other games’.
She opined that we in Guyana seek to develop our athletes. “There are a number of skill sets that are required to provide them with the requisite support for them to excel,” she stated.
Justice George-Wiltshire, who is the wife of former Guyana and Caribbean men’s squash champion Garfield Wiltshire, gave her thoughts on the necessity for a supportive environment for local athletes so as to create opportunities.
According to Justice George-Wiltshire, in order for our athletes to excel, they must operate in an environment that is conducive to excellent performances.
She said from interactions with executives of the GOA, she has gathered that the executives are grappling with a number of social issues that affect local athletes and hence there is a need for sports psychologists to work with local athletes to strengthen their mental fitness to compete at the highest level.
Justice George-Wiltshire also called on the GOA to engage the services of social workers to assist with addressing social issues that local athletes face.
She said certain steps should be made to ensure our athletes perform at their best internationally.
Justice George-Wiltshire suggested that a call can be made for more persons who have the required skills to offer their support “so a database of persons who can be called on to assist in the specialised areas required can be created.”
She also suggested that the GOA disseminate information about what skill sets are needed so that a larger number of persons would know what career choices are available in the field of sports.
The GOA, through its affiliates, can implement an Olympic Solidarity programme whereby it identifies persons who can be trained in the required fields, she added.
By Michael DaSilva