Local athletes are set to benefit from an innovative sports programme designed to assist with the overall youth development and sports agenda on the island.
Australian High Commissioner to Saint Lucia H.E. Sonya Koppe recently paid a courtesy call to Minister for Youth Development and Sports Kenson Casimir.
The High Commissioner spoke to Minister Casimir on the Small Grants Programme being offered by the Australian Government and the prospects available for local athletes to nurture their career.
The Small Grants Programme invests in small to medium sized grass roots initiatives and organisations that empower local communities to thrive.
” I wanted to take the opportunity to talk to the Minister about the great work the Ministry is doing in the areas of Youth Development and Sports and to tell him about our Small Grants Programme,” Koppe said, at a session, last Friday.
Casimir is pleased to be informed of this facility being offered by the Australian Government.
” We are interested in developing our grassroots programmes. We had very good disclosure on how Saint Lucia has been developing,” he said.
“We are hoping to keep Youth Development and Sports on the upward track in Saint Lucia, ” Minister Casimir asserted.
Meanwhile, a release from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) states that two regionally-based financial institutions are partnering with 1st National Bank Saint Lucia Limited to finance a game-changing $80 million sporting infrastructure programme in Saint Lucia spearheaded by the National Lotteries Authority (NLA).
The National Bank of Dominica and Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited have expressed confidence in the NLA and Saint Lucian economy and will share the financial responsibility with 1st National Bank Saint Lucia Limited to rehabilitate several local sporting facilities to benefit local athletes and youth.
The National Bank of Dominica has been operating since 1978 and is the leading financial institution in Dominica with $1.58 billion in assets as of June 2021. The Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited opened in 1933 and currently manages $2.2 billion in assets as of 2023.
The Mindoo Phillip Park, Marchand Grounds, Gros-Islet playing field, and Daren Sammy Cricket Grounds have received immediate attention to expedite Saint Lucia’s preparations to host group stage matches in the upcoming ICC Men’s T-20I Cricket World Cup tournament in June 2024.
Other sporting facilities in communities throughout Saint Lucia will receive attention. The NLA will channel funding to support targeted youth programmes facilitated by key government agencies and local NGOs.