“I feel like everything we touch in sports development turns to gold.”
Those were the triumphant words of Saint Lucia’s Minister for Youth Development and Sports, Kenson Casimir, as he celebrated one of the nation’s most historic performances at the Carifta Games.
ding the charge was 16-year-old Jady Emmanuel of Morne Paul, who etched her name in the record books as Saint Lucia’s first-ever double sprint champion at the prestigious regional event. Representing Choiseul Secondary School, Emmanuel stormed to victory in both the Under-17 girls’ 100m and 200m races in Trinidad and Tobago.
In Saturday’s 100m final, the rising star blazed across the finish line in 11.50 seconds, a new personal best and a national Under-18 record, eclipsing the previous mark of 11.53 seconds set by Olympic champion Julien Alfred in 2017. Emmanuel followed up with another breathtaking performance in the 200m final, clocking 23.47 seconds, the fastest time ever recorded by a Saint Lucian Under-18 athlete.
Despite a gruelling race schedule and battling leg cramps, Emmanuel delivered performances that left spectators in awe and cemented her status among the nation’s most promising young athletes.
Minister Casimir, brimming with pride, drew parallels between Jady’s potential and that of Saint Lucia’s Olympic star.
“What an individual. We have literally another Julien Alfred,” he said. “If you talk about the mentality, if we talk about the heart, if we talk about the soul of the individual, being somebody who is humble, we do have that on our hands.”
Emmanuel’s golden double was the crown jewel of Saint Lucia’s impressive medal tally, which also included Naya Jules’ pole vault bronze and Destinee Cenac’s high jump silver. With four medals in total, the nation secured an impressive sixth-place finish overall at the games.
Casimir credited the government’s unwavering commitment to athletic development as the driving force behind this success.
“I can tell you, it is the easiest thing for this Cabinet of Ministers and this Prime Minister that when I describe what the situation is for those young athletes – to give them the support … the documentation, the finances that these individuals need to continue to put Saint Lucia on the map.”
He also expressed regret over the withdrawal of medal hopeful Naomi London due to injury, noting that the team had anticipated at least two more podium finishes. Nevertheless, he emphasised the solid foundation being laid for the future of Saint Lucian sports.
“We made history,” Casimir said. “We’ve never won a sprint double. We’ve finally done that.”
Highlighting the ministry’s strategic vision, he pointed to a well-structured sports development pyramid, spanning grassroots initiatives to elite high-performance programmes. He also praised the critical role of sports psychologists and other professionals in honing the athletes’ competitive edge.
Dude, those athletes did not start sports only in the past 4 years. They have been at it for much longer and the foundations were set prior. Stop politicking with individuals and their drive and ambition.
How much assistance did your ministry give to Jady since Carifta last year? Tell us that. You just happen to be the minister of sports while these things are happening. They’re not happening because of you.
T
Yall need to stop taking credit for the kids had work. .what have you done to make things better for sports in st lucia. Any new or upgraded facility . Our stadium is still a hospital. Sporting equipment is priced like gold. So stop gathering your gums and let the kids and coaches and their parents enjoy their achievement
Kenson Casimir – be mindful of how you used that term because our iconic princess of 1st world gold sign is on the verge of collapsing at the side of the road after passing RASCO on the left, going toward Gros Islet and I am sure you pass their 3+ times a week.
Mr minister these things dont happen overnight so stop taking the praise and may I remind you that Julien Alfred has inspired alot of your young ahtletes.
St. Lucians are great are taking credit for individuals accomplishments which put them (St. Lucia) on the map..…I don’t know the minister – but historical they are great at that.
In the meantime when the individuals were struggling those who desire to take the credit were no where to be found (MIA). Give the credit to their parents/care givers, family members and coaches who poured into them. Amen
You so right Kenson. Our athletes only started getting gold as you and your colleagues are in power. This only shows how much of a great set of ministers u all are.
Can u plz pass on the gold to King so we can start driving on roads of gold.
Can u all plz touch OKEU so it is of Gold Standard
Can u all also touch the banana industry. Need Green Gold once again
Can u all touch King so we can hv an Gold Standard Transportation system where ppl don’t bleach like they begging mini buses for a ride.
After u all touch these i hv another list.
Clearly Julien has inspired alot of younger athletes especially girls…that’s a fact! Clearly this Minister is 100000x more effective, more present, more involved, more knowledgeable, more impactful than the invisible one that was there before….the Este one! Now…these achievements by our young athletes are in NO WAY linked to this current SLP government just to be clear. Politicians can say what they want but those who know, know the real truth.
@Nooks….Don’t make the mistake of equating media appearances to effectiveness, or impact. Casimir seizes any moment available to get in-front of the camera, while the Estephane delivered multiple sporting facilities across the island and the elite athletes program which helped fund many national and upcoming athletes without attempting to steal their shine or take credit for the athletes success. If not for Covid, the work at Soufriere stadium would have continued and the national aquatic center would have been completed under Estephane. Don’t be fooled by Casimir’s constant media appearances.