Local sports authorities are actively promoting and developing the vital artistry of Combat Sports on the island.
Minister for Youth Development and Sports Kenson Casimir delivered a keynote address at the launch of the Saint Lucia Invitational Combat Sports Festival on August 26.
The event, held at the Financial Administrative Centre in Point Seraphine, signifies a transformative moment for sports tourism and athletic development in Saint Lucia.
In his remarks, Minister Casimir declared the festival as a significant stride forward under the Alternative Sports Programme, an initiative aimed at elevating non-traditional sports locally, regionally, and internationally.
He emphasized that combat sports-boxing, judo, taekwondo, karate, wrestling, and mixed martial arts-are not mere physical contests; they are potent tools for discipline, character building, and community engagement.
“This festival transcends sport; it embodies transformation, engagement, opportunity, and ultimately, nation-building,” he asserted.
Minister Casimir outlined four critical pillars of the initiative:
– Empowering Youth: The programme will actively engage young people from grassroots to elite levels, ensuring access to training facilities, qualified coaching, mentorship, and competitive platforms. Investing in combat sports is essential for cultivating a healthier, more confident, and empowered generation.
– Infrastructure & Support: Under his leadership, the government will allocate substantial resources to: upgrade and construct modern combat sports facilities across Saint Lucia; provide robust financial and technical support to local clubs and federations; train and certify coaches, referees, and technical officials to international standards; and establish athlete development pathways to identify talent early and support international competition.
– Promoting Inclusion & Safety: Minister Casimir firmly commits to inclusivity, championing efforts to enhance female participation, para-combat sports, and embedding safety, mental health, and anti-doping education at every level.
– Building for the Future: The Minister articulated his vision of national champions, Olympians, and world-class athletes emerging from this initiative. More importantly, he illustrated how young people’s lives will be transformed, not just in the ring, but within their communities and careers through the values and opportunities that sport provides.
Minister Casimir extended his sincere gratitude to Jason Fraser and his team, the National Federations, and the young athletes poised to bring this vision to fruition.