The Saint Lucia Olympic Committee (SLOC) has dished out more than a quarter of a million dollars to member federations this year, with roughly $125 000 distributed in March and June. But SLOC President Alfred Emmanuel delivered a stern message at the latest funding presentation: some federations need to pull their socks up and meet their obligations.
Addressing representatives from athletics, sailing, shooting, table tennis and volleyball at the most recent ceremony, Emmanuel made it clear that while the SLOC remains committed to supporting its affiliates, some are falling short in understanding their responsibilities.
“Our committee has spared no effort in ensuring that we provide the necessary assistance to members, with the view of them strengthening the sport first and foremost, and secondly fulfilling the mandates of the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee,” Emmanuel said. “I must say that it is not smooth sailing for everyone. We have members who we believe fully understand their mission and that of the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee, while we have others that we are still not sure understand their mission, far less the mission of the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee.”
The veteran administrator, who has led the SLOC since 2021 after two decades as secretary general, has long pushed for stricter oversight of funding. His biggest frustration? Federations that take the money but fail to report back on how it’s used.
In a series of pointed questions, Emmanuel stopped just short of naming underperforming federations but left no doubt about his expectations:
“How would a member not want to accept the offer of organising technical courses for its members? How can a member be reluctant to accept the offer of other programmes that will just simply strengthen their administrative capacity? How come members have difficulty in meeting deadlines? How come members have difficulty in providing their athletes with accurate information?”
He warned that the SLOC will now prioritise working with federations that demonstrate a real commitment to growth and governance.
“There is a clear sense within some of our members that the leadership wants to be chief cook and bottle washer,” he declared. “Every opportunity there is for training, you’re seeing their names or their associate names. Anytime we talk assistance, they are somewhere there in the mix. As an organisation under my watch, that will not be permitted to continue.”
Emmanuel, a staunch advocate for transparency, vowed to crack down on lax accountability and nepotism.
“I am not one who likes to spur the phrase ‘good governance’, but I believe strongly in good governance. I believe strongly in transparency. And I believe doubly strongly in cutting out nepotism,” he said.
His final warning was unambiguous: “We will fight tooth and nail against laissez-faire attitudes, nepotism, and everything that is contrary to the Olympic spirit.”
The SLOC’s recent funding includes support for table tennis and sailing athletes – one aiming for the 2028 Olympics, the other a two-time Olympian sailor under the universality rule. Additional funds were allocated to shooting, table tennis and volleyball for completed activities or expenditures.
Major events on the horizon under the SLOC’s banner include the Pan American Junior Games in Paraguay and next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
