Minister for Youth Development and Sports Kenson Casimir is talking up the Pierre administration’s efforts in sports development following recent successes at global competitions.
Appearing before reporters at Monday’s pre-Cabinet press briefing, the Minister, who attended the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Santo Domingo, highlighted several notable achievements by local athletes while touting the government’s role in their success.
In recent competitions, Team Saint Lucia returned home with a bronze medal in CAC netball and a silver medal won by Luc Chevrier in sailing. Jady Emmanuel also shone brightly on the world stage, finishing 8th at the Under-20 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in a new national record time of 11.28 seconds.
“[These performances] would mean that Saint Lucia has pretty much medalled under the tutelage of this government at every major global event except one,” Casimir told reporters.
“We can see that we have an Olympic medal too. We can see that we have CAC medals. We can see the Pan-American, Commonwealth; we have done well at every global event. I don’t think any government could boast of that level of achievement in sport in a five-year period except one.”
The Minister did, however, note that there is still significant progress to be made to enhance the overall sporting landscape, particularly in football.
“The only sport that we’ve not dominated on a global level as yet is football,” he said.
“But we will get there. You know we are putting in the work. This government has certainly invested in football more than any government has in our history, and we’re certainly expecting very soon to reap those rewards.”
