Name local athletes with potential to medal in Tokyo 2020

Dear Editor,

Edison Jefford, one of Guyana’s most accomplished sports athlete, senior sports journalist of KN, recipient of many outstanding awards over the years, senior member of the current National Sports Commission etc has now made his appearance via the press in relation to the ongoing issue with KAJ Yassin (President of the Guyana Olympic Association) and his establishment to vacate the office of the GOA for many reasons. He seems to have chosen the side and in support of his colleague Rawle Welch of the KN who started this issue.

The general public’s response should be one of respect because Guyana is a democratic country and I repeat again, that it is everyone’s democratic right to challenge KAJ Yassin for his current chairmanship of the Goa and his establishment.

E Jefford, Minister Nicolette Henry just went on record via the press and announced that the government of the day has rolled out billions of dollars for sports development to date and will continue to do so towards ‘Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.’

I challenge you to publicly identify and name all the current athletes (locally) who you believe possess the abilities and potentials to make it on the medal podium in Tokyo 2020.

This is vital because the nurturing aspect has to get kick started immediately. Time is of the essence. Guyana would have attended IAAF World Championships meets over the years under the leadership of former Presidents of the AAG (Athletics Association of Guyana), Blackmore and C Boyce and never made it to the medal podium.

Can you say whether the media at large ever attacked those gentlemen for their chairmanship when Guyana failed to medal? If not, are we playing the race card with J Yassin?

Can you also furnish the general public with names of your choice who you believe will lead the GOA and make Guyana stand on the medal podium in Tokyo 2020?

Can you also educate the public what is it that you lack from challenging KAJ Yassin for his chairmanship during GOA’s 2016 elections?

Editor and the general public, I am not the enemy or taking sides with anyone. My independent position remains the same where I stand my ground firmly with the message that the current President of the GOA, KAJ Yassin) and his establishment is not solely responsible for Guyana’s failure to medal at the just-concluded RIO 2016 Olympic Games…We are all responsible.

Yours faithfully,

T Pemberton