In its continued efforts to promote youth development in the sport, the Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) Inc. has reached out to a junior national player to help harness his overall skills.
According to SLFA President, Lyndon Cooper, the youth player was a member of the National Under-15 Male Team that under the guidance of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and due to covid-19 complications amongst the squad, had to abort the CONCACAF Challenge Series, recently held in the Dominican Republic.
Kelvin Sylvester received a new pair of football boots and $2,000 inclusive of a laptop and other school supplies. . He is a Form 4 student attending the Choiseul Secondary School.
Cooper stressed the importance of presenting ‘partial scholarships’ to national youth players, adding that the non-participation of the Boys U- 15 and Girls U-14 in the Challenge Series, was a “most challenging period” for the SLFA.
Cooper said the tour would have cost the SLFA in excess of $100,000 including airfares to accommodate players and officials.
Despite the disappointments and criticisms for not making the tour, he said, the SLFA “found courage and the reassurance and hope when they were informed that some parents understood the reason for the non- participation and that the issue was beyond the control of SLFA Inc.
Kelvin’s mother was singled out as a parent that supported the SLFA’s efforts and vowed to allow her son to participate in the youth development program.
For us it is a setback, but however, we have committed ourselves to keep the team in training and to ensure that they continue to participate, said Copper, as soon as the all clear’ is given as the country continues to fight COVID-19.
The SLFA president urged members of the public to get vaccinated to help curb the spread of the virus that has put a ‘damper’ on several sporting events and social interaction.
Kelvin’s mom said he began playing soccer from age seven and though she is a ‘strict mother’, she eventually gave in to allow him to play the sport. She noticed that Kelvin’s interest ‘perked up’ when he had a football to play with and so decided to have him join the SLFA youth development programme.
“I still prefer for Kelvin to be in it (playing football) instead of being on the road … I know he goes to train and he gets back home safely. So, I’m pushing my child 100% and I want to thank the SLFA for taking care of him when he is in their care, and I would like to thank you all for the scholarship as a young hard working mother,” she declared.