As high-performing, driven athletes continue to emerge from Saint Lucia, the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports is highlighting the efforts made to foster sporting talent.

At a recently held press briefing, the Minister for Youth Development and Sports, Hon. Kenson Casimir, highlighted the government’s efforts in developing Saint Lucian athletes from the various sporting sectors.

“What we’ve done in terms of football is we've brought on Bullock Jean and Stuart Charles as part of our emerging athletes program. We will choose the best of the best from the ages of 9 until 15 and we can have them in a program that is as professional as anybody could imagine—proper nutrition advice proper psycho-social support in terms of mental strength emotional building and of course the physical nature of healthy living for these individuals. We have made every effort to be athlete centered in a way that Saint Lucia has never seen. In the sport of boxing as well, a program has been developed and there are similar strides in cricket similar in football similar in track and field.”

The minister stated that part of ministry’s efforts included the encouragement of corporate Saint Lucia to assist athletes by way of sponsorship. However, he believes that all citizens have a role to play in supporting Saint Lucian athletes and sporting events.                       

“We need as a nation is to be more supportive of our athletes. We have CPL and 9 out of 10 phone calls I get is for free entrance to the Darren Sammy Grounds. How are we serious about developing a sport if we don't want to provide at least gate receipts for the development of the sport?”                       

The Hon. Minister concluded by stating that the government’s Adopt an Athlete Program, allows  corporate bodies to sponsor the island’s athletic stars of tomorrow.