FUNDING totaling $66,850.00 was handed over to four-member associations on Saturday, June 8, 2024, as the St. Lucia Olympic Committee (SLOC) Inc. continues to honour its commitment to the development of sports.
During a brief handover ceremony held at Olympic House, President of SLOC Inc., Alfred Emmanuel, presented checks to representatives from the following four associations:
• John Bruce, Treasurer of the St. Lucia Life Saving Association, received a check for $5,000.00 on his association’s behalf towards its administrative expenses.
• Digby Ambris, Vice-President of the St. Lucia National Tennis Association, received a check for $13,350.00 on his association’s behalf towards Saint Lucia’s participation in the Davis Cup/Billie Jean King Tournament, and a check for $5,000.00 towards payment of ITF dues.
• Frank Chevrier, Vice-President of the Saint Lucia Sailing Association, received a check for $11,000.00 on his association’s behalf towards sponsoring a community outreach programme aimed at getting more youngsters involved in sailing as a sport.
• Dora Henry, First Vice-President, St. Lucia Athletics Association, received a check for $22,000.00 on her association’s behalf for the SLAA’s National Championships. A further $10,500.00 was included as the SLOC Inc.’s support for the purchase of some starting blocks for the association.
Emmanuel said that while SLOC Inc. is pleased to continue assisting its member federations, everyone must be treated equally. Over the past two and a half years, he said, SLOC Inc. has insisted that it cannot be a free-for-all.
“We have demanded standards, we have asked persons to prepare their athletes and ask their athletes to meet standards, and, when called upon to show slate, if you’re not in a position to show slate, then you cannot have qualms with the SLOC Inc, President,” Emmanuel explained.
Emmanuel reiterated that standards are established so athletes can strive to meet them. Failure to meet those standards, he noted, simply means that athletes are below the mark and need to go back to the drawing board to get it right.
“At some point in time, we have to draw the line,” Emmanuel cautioned. “We cannot continue to make athletes and certain administrators believe that they are entitled to something without working hard.”
Nevertheless, Emmanuel said SLOC Inc. will continue to meet its mandate of serving members despite its limited resources.