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SPL Chief Celebrates Success in Season 5

Hassan Euristee launched the Saint Lucia Premier League (SPL) T20 cricket tournament in 2017 on little more than a wing and a prayer. With minimal external investment and a small dedicated team, the budding sports entrepreneur kicked off the league with eight community-based franchise teams, only half of which had sponsors. The tournament’s tagline, “Show Dem How To Party”, was a playful nod to the Caribbean Premier League’s “Biggest Party In Sports”. 

By its second and third years, the SPL had secured title sponsorships from Flow and Digicel. The party was in full swing, with new champions and finalists each season – until the pandemic struck. After a prolonged hiatus, the league returned in 2023 but was absent in 2024, as Euristee and his partners juggled their day jobs.

This year, bolstered by significant financial backing from the central Government and the National Lotteries Authority, the SPL enjoyed its most successful season yet. The league abandoned the group format, opting instead for a full round-robin before the playoffs. Gros Islet claimed their maiden title just days before Euristee celebrated his birthday.

“Yeah, man, it was really good in terms of what we expected and what we pulled off,” Euristee said of SPL 5. “The excitement that it brought to the fans, the players, and the level of professionalism we had this year, the discipline levels increased. It was really good to see the north fan base increase as the tournament progressed. And it’s something that we look forward to, having more persons from the north come to the games as we look to increase our marketing.”

The SPL has historically shifted its schedule each year, sometimes running as late as November. This season, however, the tournament took place earlier than ever, and Euristee hopes to lock in a fixed window moving forward, especially now with Government support.

“We definitely have always wanted to have that window secured,” Euristee told St Lucia Times. “We do request our time, and we request the type of window that we want. But with all that’s going on, and the Cricket Association having to deal with other activities or tournaments, you have to sometimes take what you get.”

Ideally, he’d like to start a little earlier which might help to avoid the Jazz Festival weekend. But it turned out that what “we had in 2025 looks like the best window for the SPL”.

Government funding primarily boosted prize money and player salaries, while the SPL team continued managing operations. Team owners now independently oversee seven of the eight franchises, investing in player development and overall growth. Euristee believes the league is on the right track regarding private-sector involvement but stresses that corporate engagement is key to unlocking its full potential.

“It’s very important, as I mentioned to some of the partners, that they attend the games,” he explained. “When you come to those games, you appreciate the money that you’re putting in.” 

Many marketing professionals, he said, focus on events they’re personally interested in, often parties, but sports are a vital part of our economy. 

“You could see with the likes of Julien Alfred when you have persons making Saint Lucia proud, that it always starts with that little sponsorship,” Euristee said. “So you need these types of things to go through to assist the young athletes.”

A youth movement has revitalised the SPL, with this year’s champions relying on players in their early 20s, some even in their teens. With a stable schedule, better compensation and a great atmosphere, Euristee is optimistic about the league’s future.

“When the league first started, it was always a first step,” he said. “The tournament just keeps growing, and we just have this mentality that we can keep it going, for the players, for the fans, for all those involved, for the SPL team who worked hard behind the scenes, our partners, our sponsors, and of course the persons who send those words of encouragement, critics out there… we just do our best to make it happen.”  

Could the SPL become more than a passion project for Euristee? He laughs at first but quickly turns serious. The SPL team believes the month-long tournament has untapped potential, and Euristee admits the idea of becoming a full-time CEO is appealing.

“In life, you have your goals, you have your dreams, and one of mine has always been to [control] my own time,” he reflected. “And this will come. This is still part of it. SPL is still a baby, growing. If the SPL team had our team where it’s all we focus on, I don’t think people will be ready for us and what we can do. But personally, I would love to be able to give this full focus. Presently, it’s not possible, but I will continue to do my best.”

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