Veterans In Sports Inc. continues to champion social change through its annual Kick for a Cure initiative, a community-driven event that doubles as the official launch of the veterans’ football season and a rallying cry for cancer awareness.
This year’s edition saw footballers from across the island converge at the Francis Baba Lastic Grounds in Gros Islet for the Super Knockout Championship. Held over two days, November 1 and 2, the tournament featured 12 teams, each fielding 30 players in a display of camaraderie and competition.
When the final whistle blew, it was the Marchand Veterans who claimed victory, defeating reigning Veterans champions Vieux Fort North, 3-1. Lincoln Ice Cream Man Philip delivered a masterclass in finishing, netting a hat-trick in the 5th, 15th, and 16th minutes. His performance earned him a clean sweep of accolades: MVP of the Finals, MVP of the Tournament, and Most Goals of the Tournament. Marchand’s Canicius Philip was also recognised as Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
But Kick for a Cure carried a deeper message, issuing a symbolic “red card” to cancer. With non-communicable diseases accounting for 82 percent of deaths on the island, the event served as both a celebration of sport and a call to action for public health.
In an interview with St. Lucia Times, Alvin Malaykan, CEO of Veterans In Sports, shared that the organisation aims to encourage individuals to undergo regular checkups to detect potential cancerous cells early and improve health outcomes. The initiative specifically targeted older men, who are often more reluctant than women to seek medical attention.
“We try to raise awareness for every form of cancer and just try and get people who have been impacted by it to come, and we do it with a mature audience,” he said. “Men don’t like to get tested, so we’re just trying to keep that word out there.”
This year, the organisation partnered with Saint Lucia Cancer Society, which set up a booth staffed with medical professionals who provided information on the importance of screening and addressed cancer-related questions from the public. One of the participating professionals, Dr Tamara Remy, expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to the cause.
“It’s the end of October, where we create awareness for breast cancer, but we’re now into November, which some people celebrate as male health or Men’s Health Month,” she said. “So, we are using the opportunity to bring some education, some excitement, some fundraising to Kick for Cure. We’re really grateful for the invitation from Veterans Inc.”
