Julien Alfred’s remarkable achievements at the Paris Olympics have reignited the island’s focus on sports and the potential of our young people to become world champions, just like herself. Recently, we’ve heard political leaders touting their support for sports development and their plans to advance it in Saint Lucia.
But with the new school year starting in just three weeks, it would have been ideal to hear from the government about the sports curriculum for the 2024/2025 school year. We know that a review of the Saint Lucia Education Act began two years ago due to concerns that it no longer aligned with the vision for education in Saint Lucia or the needs of a modern education system.
Such a review will certainly raise questions about the government’s sports programme, which, according to reliable sources, may not be as robust or comprehensive as it is portrayed. While there are independent grassroots programmes in various sports supported by the government and an elite sports programme that doesn’t cater to everyone but has government backing, it seems that we still lack a clear vision and strategic plan for a national sports programme and its implementation locally, regionally, and internationally.
It would be beneficial to understand the current state of sports from a government perspective: whether grassroots participation needs improvement, how our international sports success is perceived now compared to the past, the stability of funding for sports activities, and the condition of our sporting facilities.
We must highlight that a solid sports programme offers numerous benefits to a country, leading to a healthier and more successful nation. Let’s not forget as well that many young people in Saint Lucia are passionate about sports, both as players and fans, a passion that has intensified since Alfred’s recent successes. Alfred has demonstrated that sports can be a powerful tool for achieving ambitious goals beyond personal enjoyment and fulfillment.
To harness this potential, we need a comprehensive national sports programme with detailed proposals for increasing participation and high-performance sports. Alfred’s success shows that world-class sporting achievements are possible, and with a comprehensive programme, our athletes can strive for even greater heights.
The government must prioritise sports and conduct a thorough analysis of the current state of sports on the island. The future of sports in Saint Lucia is bright if the government commits to prioritising the nurturing of young people’s skills and ensuring that a significant percentage of children have the opportunity to participate in high-quality sports and physical education daily. The government must be ambitious for our young people and sports enthusiasts, demonstrating their commitment through actions, not just words.