The editorial of August 10, 2024, focused on building upon Julien Alfred’s remarkable achievements at the Paris Olympics. In that editorial, we called for a renewed emphasis on sports and the potential of our young people to become world champions, just like Alfred.
We urged the Government of Saint Lucia to re-examine its sports curriculum for the 2024/2025 school year and its national sports programme, which currently lacks a clear vision and strategic plan for implementation at local, regional, and international levels.
We highlighted the need to understand the current state of sports from a government perspective: whether grassroots participation needs improvement, how the success of our international sports is perceived now compared to the past, the stability of funding for sports activities, and the condition of our sporting facilities.
In the August editorial, we proffered that a solid sports programme offers numerous benefits to a country, leading to a healthier and more successful nation and that Alfred has shown that sports can be a powerful tool for achieving ambitious goals beyond personal enjoyment and fulfilment.
We emphasised the need for a comprehensive national sports programme with detailed proposals for increasing participation and high-performance sports and how Alfred’s success demonstrated that world-class sporting achievements are possible and that with a comprehensive programme, our athletes can strive for even greater heights.
The editorial ended with a call to the government to prioritise sports and conduct a thorough analysis of the current state of sports on the island, noting that the future of sports in Saint Lucia will be bright if the government commits to nurturing 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. Further, the government must be ambitious for our young people and sports enthusiasts, demonstrating their commitment through actions, not just words.
Today, we reiterate that Julien Alfred’s incredible achievements provide a unique opportunity for the Government of Saint Lucia to enhance its sports infrastructure and support systems. We propose that the government invest in sports facilities by upgrading existing ones and building new ones to provide athletes with the necessary resources to train at a high level. This includes state-of-the-art tracks, gyms, and recovery centres.
Another initiative the Government of Saint Lucia can undertake is to establish comprehensive youth development programmes to identify and nurture young talent. This could include school-based athletics programmes, community sports initiatives, and specialised training camps.
The government can also provide financial support by offering scholarships, grants, and sponsorships to promising athletes, thereby alleviating their financial burdens and allowing them to focus on training and competitions.
Investing in coaches’ education and development is crucial to ensure our athletes receive high-quality training. This could involve sending coaches for international certifications or bringing in expert trainers.
We are pleased to see the government leveraging Julien Alfred’s success by promoting Saint Lucia as a destination for sports tourism. Hosting international competitions and training camps can boost the local economy and inspire local athletes.
We have already discussed the importance of developing a comprehensive national sports policy that provides a clear framework for the development of sports in the country. This policy should address funding, infrastructure, talent identification, and athlete welfare.
Now that we have publicly celebrated Alfred’s achievements by bestowing national awards, holding public ceremonies, and launching media campaigns in her honour, we hope this can inspire the next generation to elevate their game and reach the pinnacle of success.
It is our fervent hope that by taking these steps, the Government of Saint Lucia can build on Julien Alfred’s success and create a sustainable environment for the development of sports in the country.