While ace-sprinter Julien Alfred copped the top female athlete award for her athletic prowess on the tracks, three of the islands’ young swimmers were also recognized among the top athletes at last weekend’s annual National Sports Awards ceremony.
The Top Sports Personalities are as follows:
Sportswoman of the Year – Julien Alfred,
Sportsman of the Year – Jayhan Odlum-Smith,
Junior Sportswoman of the Year – Mikaili Charlemagne,
Junior Sportsman of the Year – Tristan Dorville.
A Special Presentation was awarded to Former Saint Lucian and Caribbean ace high-jumper Levern Donalyn Spencer, for her sterling performances and for representing the island with grace and dignity regionally and globally over the years.
The spotlight also shone on other notables, such as, Association of the Year – St Lucia National Cricket Association [SLNCA], and Club of the Year – Lightning Aquatics Swim Club.
Other notable recognitions went to:
– ECVA Female Volleyball Team
– Saint Lucia’s National Under-17 Football squad
– Saint Lucia’s National Under-17 and Under-19 National Cricket teams, respectively.
– Saint Lucia U-13 Table Tennis Team
Other notable awardees:
– Administrator of the Year – Yasmin Tyson (Swimming).
Lifetime Commitment to Sports (Lifetime Awards)
– Sir Julian Hunte (Cricket )
– Matthias Russell aka Nigel Megahy (Cycling)
The young athletes were duly rewarded for their hard work and national representation, as they performed commendably in local and regional competition.
Sports Minister Kenson Casimir addressed the gathering of government dignitaries, athletes, technical personnel, and sports enthusiasts that met in a reflective atmosphere after a two-year absence of the event. He served up some ‘spicy tidbits’ all geared to upgrade and elevate the level of sports on island.
The minster noted that some major upgrade of facilities will be effected to the island’s sporting landscape to accommodate athletes in their athletic or other sports-related career pursuits. He also mentioned the hiring of two of Saint Lucia’s football icons and former professionals to assist with development of the game from the elementary stages.
He spoke on works to be undertaken for the construction of the National Aquatics Centre, at Beausejour, Gros Islet.
Casimir disclosed that construction works on the facility is due to commence, in March. “This project is expected to transform the aquatic landscape and provide our swimmers with a modern state-of-the-art facility to be even more competitive in regional and international meets.”
He said that while investment is needed for such projects, it is equally important to provide maintenance and thus, the St Lucia Aquatics Federation “has pledged their full support to ensure that this is done.”
The minister stated that a “comprehensive policy” has been adopted for the management of facilities, which will guide the administration of sports facilities all over the country.
Referring to the George Odlum Stadium, he said: “Therefore, the ministry of Youth Development and Sports will be monitoring works at the new St Jude Hospital …and we will develop an appropriate strategy guided by the experts, for the re-commissioning of the George Odlum National Stadium into a fully-fledged sports venue.”
Added Casimir, a former national athlete: “In addition to providing and maintaining facilities, the growth of a nation’s athlete depends on the strength and availability of its programmes. And so, we continue to encourage associations to focus on grassroots programmess for athletes, at the pre-school, infant and primary school levels.”
He informed that the “after-school programmes” will be re-introduced at centres island-wide, and additionally, “the ministry has employed the services of football legend Earl “Ball Hog” Jean and legend Stewart Charles-Fevrier, under the Emerging Athlete’s Programme to identify and nurture football talent at the primary school level.”
Casimir said, this initiative is intended to ensure the “football guidance” of these youngsters “from a tender age” and subsequently, the Ministry of Sports will collaborate with the Saint Lucia Football Association [SLFA] Inc., and the Youth Economy Agency “for the establishment of the Semi-Professional Football League in Saint Lucia”.
The minster adds that, “The association has been putting together the technical and legal framework for our footballers to be paced in dynamics that allows for them to be bought (contracted) and sold legally, locally, regionally and indeed internationally.”
He went on to say, “This league is expected to set the path for greater financial gains for our clubs in Saint Lucia from that of those in Europe, as we compensate local coaches, physiotherapists, players, and many others for their services.”
In addition, he said, likewise developments in cricket and basketball “will follow suit in the near future.”