Shafiqua to sit with SVG delegation at UN General Assembly – PM

Olympics athlete, Shafiqua Maloney will sit with members of the St Vincent and the Grenadines delegation attending the 2024 United Nations General Assembly. That announcement was made by Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves at a press conference Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at the VIP Lounge at the Argyle International Airport on Maloney’s return home for rest and relaxation. Maloney stirred much pride among Vincentians at home and abroad when she placed fourth in the Female 800-metre final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“I go into New York on Saturday my programme at the United Nations General Assembly starts on Sunday. She’s (Shafiqua), is spending some days with her mommy, and on Wednesday she’s going back to New York. Ambassador [Inga Rhonda] King and she has been in touch with you (Shafiqua) making all the arrangements. You will meet a number of persons, and when I deliver my speech, when I go to my Olympic Games, you will be sitting down with the Vincentian delegation,” Gonsalves told those at the airport press conference.

Maloney holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Geography, and a Masters in Operations Management, and has set her stars on being a professional athlete.

Gonsavles also informed of a decision by the Cabinet of a monetary gift to Maloney through the ‘love broadcast’.

“Last week, the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines decided that the Cabinet … that we will give you a gift of 10,000 US dollars. I wasn’t going to talk about it until the 9th. People want me to talk about things before I’m ready to talk about them when time comes. Eh? Not before, only when time comes. But I learnt that she had to come here to see her mom. This was a special visit. I don’t have to talk everything, but you know me well enough, you know I’ll be doing something. You can put your pot on your fire and you know that we’re doing something.”

Maloney and the Prime Minister along with the rest of the Vincentian delegation will return to the state on Saturday, September 28, 2024, but Maloney is expected to return to the United States to take care of some business.

“…I’m glad that the Ministry of Tourism is not going to do anything when you come back on Saturday the 28th, because the cynics will say we’re celebrating you on your second coming. So we’ll celebrate you further on your third coming…. you are a tribute to our civilization.”

Addressing Maloney directly, Minister Gonsalves said: “Those who know more about the athletics business will help to guide you. I will watch on with common sense, but what I want to see is that you soar like an eagle in the race of life, because after athletics, there’s always life…”, as he also referred to the challenges and difficulties Maloney faced in the run-up to her participation in the Olympic Games.

“I can’t apologize on behalf of anybody who is involved in athletics or any sporting thing or any coach… I can’t apologize on behalf of anybody,” he pointed out as he made reference to a Bible passage from the Psalm.

“… the stone that the builder rejected has become, and is the head cornerstone.” Maloney was driven in a motorcade from the airport into Kingstown.