The Saint Lucia Physical Education Teachers’ Association (SLUPETA) has largely closed ranks regarding the suspension or postponement of school sports for the first term, but there is some possible good news for young people hoping to showcase their talents and abilities.
Earlier this week, St. Lucia Times reported that team sports, normally played between September and December under the umbrella of the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Youth Development & Sports, would be postponed indefinitely.
The ministries have said that they would issue a joint statement on the matter. Initially, the statement was expected on Wednesday, but officials of one ministry said that further discussion was being held prior to the issuance of formal communication on the matter.
Four members of the SLUPETA executive were also approached for feedback, given that their preparation work with students in basketball, netball, football, and even table tennis would have been affected.
However, all four declined comment, with one simply ignoring the query, two redirecting to the Ministry of Youth Development & Sports, and the fourth saying that a statement would be issued by the organisation.
One PE teacher spoke to St. Lucia Times anonymously, claiming that a lengthy delay in communication from the ministries led to unrest among the PE fraternity; a number of teachers threatened to boycott school sports due to the lateness.
Fixtures for netball and football were shared on October 17 and 18, seven weeks into the school term. The netball competition was publicised by Youth Development & Sports, and the schedule was communicated to student-athletes.
On Monday, schools were told that the opening round of netball games had been postponed. Subsequently, the news broke on Tuesday that all team sports would be suspended for first term, with plans to spread those competitions between second and third terms.
By Thursday afternoon, St. Lucia Times was reliably informed that an emergency meeting had been led by the two ministries earlier in the day, out of which a tentative framework was proposed for the way forward.
Under-19 boys football will be played this term, with the playoffs in the last week of school.
An abbreviated Under-19 netball tournament will be played. Under-19 basketball will be played at the beginning of the second term in January. And all Under-15 competitions will be played in the third term.
The recommendations are yet to finalised.
PHOTO: School football.
Not sure what is meant by “has largely closed ranks” in the first sentence, it would be really helpful to say exactly what is being done rather than using such clichés!
The Sports Ministry has been renamed, it will now be known as Fan Chu Sports!
The damage is already done. Sigh…