Minister for Youth Development and Sports Kenson Casimir has pledged greater attention to the development of local athletes and facilities in the coming fiscal year.
Speaking on Saturday evening at the 43rd National Sports Awards Ceremony, the minister revealed that the government would invest in semi-professional cricket and improve several playing venues.
Citing the success of the inaugural Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League (SPFL) Casimir repeated his hope that every team can eventually have a home of its own. This, he said, would be a net positive for athletes and supporters alike, and sports on the whole.
To that end, he promised to uplift as many as 20 facilities islandwide.
“As we look ahead, one of our key priorities will be the enhancement of sporting infrastructure,” he stated. “To ensure that our district leagues, clubs, and communities benefit from home-field advantage, improved training facilities, and upgraded environments for players and fans. These crucial improvements will lay the foundation for the long-term success of the semi-professional football league and cricket league, and further solidify their role in shaping the future of football and cricket in Saint Lucia.
“In this regard, I am thrilled to announce that over the coming months, we will be rehabilitating and upgrading nearly 20 playing fields and courts across the island. These upgrades will be funded under the $80 million loan grant from the Government of Saint Lucia. This is just one step in our continuous efforts to raise the standard of our sports facilities and create environments where talents can thrive.”
The semi-professionalisation of cricket will build on the Saint Lucia Premier League T20, which has been largely successful, despite receiving inconsistent financial backing through the years.
The expanded league is expected to get underway in April, with increased remuneration for the cricketers involved. This, Casimir told his audience, follows on from the development of the Saint Lucia High Performance Centre.
“So the development of cricket does not end with the establishment of a High Performance Cricket Centre, the only one in the region,” he asserted.
“In a couple of months, Saint Lucia will launch the highly anticipated semi-professional cricket league, a monumental milestone in the island’s cricketing journey. This initiative showcases the government’s strong commitment to develop cricket on the island, offering substantial support to ensure the continued growth and success of the sport.”
Casimir further unveiled the news that local sporting organisations, including national federations, will benefit from tax relief beginning in the new fiscal year. Local sports bodies can already take advantage of a waiver on import duties and Value Added Tax, the latter passed in 2023.
The government will also buy an additional $1 million worth of equipment within the next 12 months to benefit what the minister deemed a crucial sector.
“In a move that underscores the government’s steadfast commitment to sports development, I’m thrilled to announce that the Cabinet has agreed to relieve all sporting associations in Saint Lucia from paying property taxes on their respective buildings that host their offices,” said Casimir.
“This landmark decision is set to ease the financial burden on our sports organisations, giving them the freedom to redirect their resources towards what truly matters, the development of our athletes, and the promotion of sports activities across the island.
“This decision will make a tangible difference in how sporting associations allocate their funds allowing for greater involvement in programmes, facilities, and opportunities that will directly benefit our athletes.
“Additionally the Prime Minister has announced that an extra $1 million will be made available to procure sporting equipment in the new financial year. Allow me to thank the Prime Minister in advance for releasing the purse strings to reach the sector of the population that has brought and continues to bring pride and joy to our nation.”
Minister Casimir thanked the coaches, families, support teams, sponsors, volunteers, and athletes, exhorting all to play their roles in creating “a thriving sports ecosystem that nurtures talents at all levels and ensures that each athlete has the tools they need to succeed.”
By all means investing in sports is a great initiative – however, St. Lucia needs to also invest in education as there any many illiterates on island…just saying. Create programs at the library or even after school in your various districts. Please also understand not everyone is meant to be an athlete –
I have also ran into several illiterate St. Lucians even in the diaspora and it is shameful. I am not certain that everyone can be intelligent – however, I am simply making reference to fundamentals such as:
-reading and understanding the basics to get by in life
-ability to spell and sign your own name
-if you can use a cell phone you certainly have potential to learn something
I know for a fact that there are several institutions of higher learning/libraries/colleges in the US which can assist anyone with reading and writing skills for sure (it’s free). I am also certain that some churches offer such programs. There is no need to be embarrassed, if you need help – get it.