All five of the country’s special education centres gathered on Tuesday, June 30, for a table tennis celebration. The Saint Lucia National Table Tennis Association and the Ministry of Education welcomed over 80 student athletes to the 2026 Special Education Table Tennis and Physical Literacy Fiesta at the Beausejour Gymnasium.
The five-hour event gave students a chance to demonstrate their physical literacy, coordination, agility, reaction speed, and table tennis skills in a fun, safe and welcoming setting.
The fiesta encouraged participation and empowerment, but there was also some friendly competition. Kernim Octave from Dennery Child Development Centre won gold in forehand bounce (1,500 consecutive bounces) and alternating bounces (278), and took silver in backhand bounce and agility ladder. His achievements earned him the title of Most Physically Literate Male Athlete.
Casedi St Claire from Lady Gordon Opportunity Centre led the girls’ physical literacy competitions, winning gold in forehand bounce, alternating bounces, and jump rope. Her consistent performance throughout the day earned her the title of Most Physically Literate Female Athlete.
Other notable performers included Dante Charles from Special Education Centre Vieux Fort, who won gold in the boys’ transfer ball. Teah Daniel from Dennery Child Development Centre took gold in both the girls’ transfer ball and agility ladder.
Josh Rismay from Dunnottar School completed 1,500 consecutive backhand bounces to win the boys’ competition. Adam Bourne from Lady Gordon Opportunity Centre took gold in the boys’ agility ladder. Kurdy Elibox from Dunnottar came first in the boys’ jump rope with 100 successful repetitions.
In the table tennis singles tournament, Special Education Centre Vieux Fort took the top two spots in both divisions. Dillan Joseph won the boys’ title, finishing ahead of his teammate Meshach Cox. Ranelle Charlemagne won the girls’ crown, with teammate Rubecca Daniel coming in second.
The schools that took part were Dunnottar School, Lady Gordon Opportunity Centre, Special Education Centre Vieux Fort, Dennery Child Development Centre, and Soufriere Special Education Centre.
(TF)
