President of RISE Saint Lucia, Dr Venus Rastaman Cherry is championing the integration of sports as a key strategy to combat crime, describing it as a powerful yet underutilised tool.
Cherry, who credits sports with “saving his life,” recalled how a sports scholarship diverted him from trouble and ultimately opened the door to academic and professional success. However, he believes that many Saint Lucian youth, particularly young males, lack similar opportunities.
“The challenges we face when trying to engage at-risk youth in sports stem from the perception that everyone is acting reactively rather than proactively,” Cherry explained. “When there’s a spike in crime, you see programmes from USAID and other organisations hosting short-term camps here and there. But once the camps are over, that’s it—there’s no continuity or consistency.”
“These young people feel like pawns, used temporarily, and then discarded. They’ve been let down by the system so many times that they’ve lost trust in it. They no longer see the value in investing their time, effort, or energy.”
Cherry – who heads the not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation dedicated to the healthy development of people, especially youth – believes that sports must become a more integral part of Saint Lucian society. He noted that despite the island’s achievements on the international stage, sports remain underfunded and not prioritised.
“Sports needs to become a priority—it’s not there yet,” he stated. “Not even with the success of Julien Alfred is sports truly a priority in Saint Lucia. Look at how much money is allocated to carnival and other cultural events. I’m not against carnival—we need those activities—but how does that funding compare to what’s allocated for sports development? Are we providing athletes with the equipment and tools they need? We boast about having lights on our playing fields, but do athletes have true access to these facilities? Can they actually use them? A lot more can and should be done.”
Cherry also called on corporate Saint Lucia to play a more active role in supporting sports development.
“The government has its role to play and should do more, but corporate Saint Lucia needs to step up significantly,” he asserted.
“There used to be so many events—M&C games, Pine Hill tournaments, and other sports initiatives. Where are these now? Where is the consistent funding for sporting activities? It’s lacking. Private institutions and individuals need to take pride in what we’ve achieved and invest in it. Fund the coaches! If coaches aren’t being paid and have to work regular nine-to-five jobs, how can they dedicate time to coaching unless they have an extraordinary passion for it?” he questioned.
TALK, TALK & MORE TALK
All these excuses yourll making for these criminals just encourages them to continue committing crime. These people are not doing this by force, they’re doing by choice. Young men drop out of school where they can get a decent education to join gangs, then we turn around and claim it’s because they’re not gainfully employed, they’re force to commit crime. Talk and more talk and nothing serious is been implemented.
“These young people feel like pawns, used temporarily, and then discarded. They’ve been let down by the system so many times that they’ve lost trust in it. They no longer see the value in investing their time, effort, or energy.” This is an understatement that’s how I feel lately and you know if I wasn’t strong mentality I give up hope and turn to the life of crime because of the fear of the lord in me I will remain positive and not convert into another statistic of crime and violence!!!
Cherry’s comments are so true. He keeps it real. The support for youth activities is mere lip service. It’s pathetic and embarrassing to witness the absence of the authorities at sporting activities. Usually a lower level public servant is sent to represent. Are young people expected to believe that we are truly interested in their achievements. Certainly only if you achieve JuJu status. Let’s stop paying lip service to young people and seriously support their efforts.
Cherry keeps it real
@ Williams you are correct – btw not everyone is interested in sports. Everyone needs to find their niche and make hay while the sun shines. Choices have consequences and when you play dangerous games you win dangerous prices.
Rome was not built in a day – I grew up in St. Lucia from a family of ten and we lived in a one bedroom wooden structure. Not one of us turned out to be a criminal – every last one of us went to school and made something of ourselves (engineers, physicians, realtors, nurses, health care administrators, teachers, etc. etc. etc.). I know that it can be done if you study, stay focused and away from bad company. Why – because I am a living witness and there were drugs and crime when I was growing up as well. Poverty is no excuse from crime – folk make choices because they want to live dangerously and not like a normal law abiding legitimate hard worker. Stop making excuses for those gang bangers who have already decided to continuously break the law and cause destruction to self, family and community.