On Tuesday, Saint Lucians turned out in large numbers to celebrate with the Saint Lucia Kings. A major homecoming event was held for the victorious T20 cricket team at Derek Walcott Square in the city of Castries.
On October 6th the Saint Lucia Kings defeated the Guyana Amazon Warriors to clinch the Caribbean Premiere League (CPL) T20 title for the first time in the franchise’s eleven years.
The celebration got underway shortly after 2 pm, with members of the cricket team led by Coach Daren Sammy interacting with fans who welcomed photo opportunities as well as autographs from the team members present.
The event featured a variety of performances ahead of the player’s appearance on the grand stage. Stilt walkers, masquerade dancers, spoken word, calypsonians, steel pan players and other instrumentalists all hailed the kings, during the meet and greet segment of the event.
Later, MC Scady introduced Sammy who told the crowd that it was good to be back home with his people.
“The last time I was at the square we were lifting up a trophy – 2016 right? So it’s only fitting that the next tike I speak here I am lifting up another trophy and to me that’s the best one right, because guess what it’s for Saint Lucia,” Sammy said.
“2024 – the year for Saint Lucia. You know if I was the Prime Minister in power I would call elections now, that’s the year for people that’s wining right,” he joked.
Sammy also spoke of the inspiration drawn from Julien Alfred and how proud he was of her.
“That victory, so many things contributed to it…it started with Juju, that inspiration, that’s number one on the list. Followed by some players who made it possible starting with Captain Faf Duplesis, what a leader, he was very inspiring,” he pointed out.
He then called on the players who were present, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Roston Chase and Alzarri Joseph to join him on stage with the team manager and other support staff.
The other teammates who were overseas on duty were also mentioned including Akeem Auguste, MC Kenny Clarke, Shadrack Descarte, Aaron Jones, Johann Jeremiah, Kharry Pierre, Mikkel Govia, Noor Ahmad, Tim Seifert, Khari Campbell, Bhanjka Rajapakse and David Wiese.
The Saint Lucia Kings then celebrated on stage, while engaging the crowd and giving away tickets to the upcoming West Indies vs England one day matches here in Saint Lucia.
Before the concert finale, Minister for Youth Development and Sports Kenson Casimir, made some special announcements.
They included the renaming of the Varnard-Venus-Anse La Raye link road, the Johnson Charles highway. Charles, he announced, will have a cricket academy named after him in Millet where the cricketer is from. The playing field in Millet will also be upgraded and renamed the Johnson Charles cricket ground, Casimir revealed.
Tuesday’s event concluded in true celebratory fashion with dancers, confetti and gerbs adding to the excitement. All of this, while the Invasion band backed up Mantius, Zionomi, Ti Blacks, Groovy Monarch Sly, Umpa, Sedale, Ezra and Imran Nerdy.
The 2024 Soca Monarch and Road March King, Ricky T, along with Matta and Bronx ended the event on a high note. Their song, “Better than dem” a fitting mantra for the Saint Lucia Kings.
Photo Credit: Jason Joseph
Alzarri Joseph, his behavior of late has been unbecoming of a vice captain, he really brought the game into disrepute! He would have benefited more from anger management sessions than going to the Square.
Can the country afford all these celebrations because everyone wants to be treated like royalty when they win games? Celebrations last for a day or two but the pain and suffering of the average person who’s struggling to make ends meet will endure for a very long time. Sports fans may get enraged at My comment however, Sports don’t bring money in the country but the country now spends millions in gifts and rewards I’m exchange for popularity..