January 2026 promises to be a defining moment for Fair Helen’s combat sports scene, with the debut of the Saint Lucia Invitational Combat Sports Festival. Slated for January 30-31, the event will unite talented athletes from around the globe, including competitors from as far away as Japan, for a two-day showcase of martial arts.
With 21 nations expected to participate, the festival is poised to serve as a launchpad for the growth of martial arts on the island and raise Saint Lucia’s profile as a regional hub for combat sports.
Organised by the Saint Lucia Mixed Martial Arts Federation and backed by the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, the festival was officially introduced to the public during a media launch held on August 26 at the Finance Administrative Centre in Castries.
Federation President Macorcliff Duvigneau said the goal is not only to deliver a successful inaugural edition but also to establish the festival as a permanent fixture on Saint Lucia’s sporting calendar, thereby creating new opportunities for sports tourism and international engagement.
“We intend to become an annual event and for Saint Lucia to become a primary destination for alternative sports tourism in the Caribbean. I am now challenging my executives as I make this bold statement. I make it knowing we can live up to this idea and our ideals,” he said.
Also among the speakers at the launch was Jason Fraser, Vice President of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation for the Pan-American Caribbean Region. He praised the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, particularly the Alternative Sports Unit spearheaded by Craig Gustave.
Fraser said the Combat Sports Festival “is not only a celebration of combat sport, but also a testament to the strength and determination of the unwavering spirit of those who dare to compete at the highest level. Today, we come together not just as spectators or participants, but as a community united by our love for the sport and our belief in its power to inspire, transform, and connect people across cultures and borders.”
He added. “We are about to embark on a journey that will challenge our athletes, elevate our national pride, and bring countless benefits to Saint Lucia.”
Minister for Youth Development and Sports, Kenson Casimir, also addressed the gathering, noting how the sport and the festival in particular can be instrumental in national development.
“Combat sports have long been seen as a source of discipline,” he said. “Sports such as boxing, judo, taekwondo, karate, wrestling, mixed martial arts, and others exemplify the values of resilience, respect, focus, and mental strength – values we wish to instil in our young people in every single community. The introduction of the Combat Sport Festival is not only about sport, but it also focuses on transformation, engagement, opportunity, and ultimately nation building.”
