ON Thursday 19th July, the Department of Youth Development and Sports officially launched the 2018 Winlott Inc/Canadian Bank Note 18th edition of the Windward Island School Games, which will be hosted in Saint Lucia from Sunday 20th to Sunday 29th July.
Present at the launch was Minister of Youth Development and Sports, Edmund Estaphane, Permanent Secretary in the Department, Donavan Williams, along with Deputy Permanent Secretary Liota Charlemange-Mason, Director of Sports – Patrick Mathurin and other staff of the Department, Regional Marketing Manager for Canadian Bank Note – Mary Springer, Staff of GIS, Members of the Media and specially invited guests.
The WISG’s begin at 10.00 a.m. tomorrow at the George Odlum Stadium with the flag-raising ceremony and parade of teams and from 12.00 noon the commencement of the track and field championship setting things off in competition mode.
There will be a compliment of two hundred and eighty participants expected at the Games, seventy from each island. Host Saint Lucia will be competing in all seven sporting disciplines over five sports; athletics, basketball (male and female), volleyball (male and female), netball (female), and football (male).
Speaking at the official launch for the Games held at the National Television Network (NTN) located at Pointe Seraphine, Minister of Youth Development and Sports, Edmund Estaphane said, “It is indeed a very special occasion and honour for us as a Government and people, to host the Windward Islands School Games (WISG), in its 18th edition. This official launch signals our commitment to the future of this great legacy of the Games which has its origin since 1922.”
He continued, “The Games will be held in the south of the island, with the Games Village set up at Coconut Bay Resort and Spa. In the past, schools have been used as venues for the Games. We find it prudent to have a more appropriate venue which upholds safety standards to enhance comfort and care of our distinguished athletes”.
The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) chaired by Deputy Permanent Secretary, Liota Charlemagne-Mason for the past months, has been working tirelessly to ensure that everything is in motion for the smooth running of the Games.
The Sports Minister said, “Our partners on the LOC namely the Ministry of Health, the Saint Lucia Fire Service, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, Vieux Fort South Constituency Council, National Lotteries Authority and St. Jude’s Hospital Staff, are more than ready to ensure that we have a marvelous experience here at the Games”.
This time around most of the competition will in the evening under lights, to allow for maximum participation by the sporting public.
The venues for competitions are: Volleyball (Micoud playing court), Basketball and Netball (Vieux Fort playing court), Football (Phillip Marcelin Grounds) and Athletics (George Odlum Stadium).
“The Games are an important part of our sporting heritage and serves as a nursery for top sportsmen and sportswomen. It has evolved into a boundless opportunity for growth and advancement of our youth in the region and we are extremely proud to host it this year”. Estaphane noted.
The WISG is a multi-disciplinary sporting event, where athletes gain selection on their ability to do at least two events. The Minister said, “We envision that in the future, that there will be pure sporting disciplines to enable scouting for scholarship opportunities and for further enhancement of athletes”.
The main objectives of the Games (1) To bring student athletes of the four islands together for competition in various sporting disciplines, (2) Provide opportunities for athletes who have excelled in their school sports to match their talent with the other islands, (3) Deepen Caribbean integration among the islands.
According to Estaphane, sports by its very nature, is about participation, it is about inclusion and equality in bringing individuals, communities and nations together, by bridging cultural and ethical divides.
Also addressing the gathering was Regional Marketing Manager for Canadian Bank Note (CBN) Mary Springer, She said, “Canadian Bank Note maintains a strong tradition of “ Good Corporate Citizens”, in those countries and communities where we do business. We are a committed long-term partner with our lottery clients in each of the participating countries for these games. CBN shares their philosophy and dedication in supporting the development of youth and sports and we are pleased to sponsor these games in continued support of that tradition”.
Springer continued, “This is the 18th consecutive year CBN is sponsoring the WISG’s. These games have been bringing together many of the sub regions most talented athletes since it was initiated and continues to be the premiere sporting events for the secondary school athletes in the Windward Islands”.
“Canadian Bank Note is proud to play a positive role in this long-standing youth development initiative and contributes EC$200,000 in cash to the games each year and in addition donates T-shirts, sports bags, bottles and other promotional items for all participants and officials”
The Title Sponsors include- Canadian Banknote (CBN), Winlott Super 6, and supporting sponsors, Blue Waters, Flow and Peter and Company.
The Games will be supported by Technical Officials from Saint Lucia in the sporting disciplines of: football, athletics, basketball, volleyball and netball. The relevant sporting associations have been part of the LOC to ensure the highest standards of officiating are demonstrated at the Games.