St. Mary’s College and Castries Comprehensive Secondary School stood out as exceptional finalists in the 2025 Inter-Secondary School Table Tennis Championships, which concluded at the Castries Table Tennis Centre on November 3.
The atmosphere was electrifying as the island’s top young athletes fiercely competed for supremacy in this prestigious event, hosted by the Ministry of Youth Development & Sports in collaboration with the Saint Lucia National Table Tennis Association.
After intense preliminary rounds across four zones island-wide, the very best of Saint Lucia’s secondary school talent gathered for a day filled with riveting rallies and unforgettable performances in both team and doubles events.
Boys’ Team Finals – SMC Breaks Through
In a dramatic showdown, St. Mary’s College (SMC) decisively clinched the Boys’ Team Championship with a 3–2 upset victory over the top-seeded Castries Comprehensive Secondary School (CCSS).
The triumphant trio of Khamari Harris, Leonardo Bovell, and Jaedon John displayed exceptional teamwork and resilience, overcoming the odds to claim their victory. Leshon Francis from CCSS, who concluded the tournament with an impressive unbeaten 10–0 record, was rightfully praised for his consistent excellence throughout the competition.
In the Boys’ third-place match, Ciceron Secondary School edged out Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School with a nail-biting 3–2 victory that went down to deuce. Manie Eleuthere from CicSS earned the title of player of the match.
Girls’ Team Finals – CCSS Retains its Crown
In the Girls’ Team event, Castries Comprehensive Secondary School successfully defended its title, defeating St. Lucia Sports Academy (SLSA) 3–2 in a tense final. The winning team, consisting of Daniella Symphorien, Lyzan Seraphin, and Nefertari Goddard, exhibited remarkable composure under pressure to secure their victory.
SLSA’s Shatal Charles, who finished unbeaten with an outstanding 12–0 record, was a standout player and a crowd favorite.
The third-place encounter was claimed by Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School, which triumphed over Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School 3–2 in an exhilarating five-game duel.
Amaya Emmanuel from SCSS rightfully received player of the match honors.
Doubles Dominance – CCSS Sweeps The Podium
Castries Comprehensive Secondary School (CCSS) continued its dominance in the doubles events, taking home gold in the Girls, Boys, and Mixed Doubles categories.
– Girls Doubles Champions:
Daniella Symphorien and Lyzan Seraphin (CCSS) decisively defeated Shatal Charles and Hermiley Constantine (SLSA) 11–4, 11–5.
– Boys Doubles Champions: Leshon Francis and Vernon Salvator (CCSS) prevailed over Khamari Harris and Jaedon John (SMC) with scores of 11–6, 12–14, 11–7.
– Mixed Doubles Champions: Leshon Francis and Daniella Symphorien (CCSS) secured the title with a solid 8–11, 11–2, 11–7 victory over Khamari Harris and Amelia Jules (SMC/SJC).
Celebration of Youth Talent and Sportsmanship
The tournament showcased not only the elite skill of Saint Lucia’s young athletes but also their outstanding sportsmanship and passion for the sport. The Ministry of Youth Development & Sports commended participating schools, coaches, and the Saint Lucia National Table Tennis Association (SLNCA) for their unwavering commitment to nurturing emerging talent across the island.
Tournament Director Chris Wells praised the competitors, stating: “This year’s championships exhibited the tremendous depth of talent in Saint Lucia’s schools. The energy, discipline, and determination of these young athletes are truly inspiring. Table tennis is growing, and events like this are essential for developing our future national champions.”