School Sports Activities Ongoing Despite Rumors
On Monday, St. Lucia’s Minister for Youth Development and Sports, Hon. Kenson Casimir, addressed recent rumors by the opposition about school sports. He stated that ongoing school sports programs contradict claims that no school sports are being held this term.
“The notion that there is no school sports this term is a lie. It’s an absolute lie,” Casimir said firmly. “We currently have school football, school netball, and road race events underway, leading up to the primary and secondary school championships.” He confirmed that school cricket competitions will start on January 6, along with other additional sports activities.
Casimir expressed frustration with the misinformation circulating in the public sphere. “It is very, very disappointing that we have a society where individuals believe that the only way to get by is to lie,” he said. He encouraged media professionals to verify facts, pointing to the Ministry’s social media page, where match results for netball and football have been posted for over a week.
Funding for School Sports Separate from Celebration Expenses
Casimir also refuted claims that funding for school sports was misallocated for the recent celebration honoring Julien Alfred, a national athlete. “The notion that the Ministry took money earmarked for school sports and spent it on the Julien Alfred concert and reward is an absolute, salacious, fallacious lie,” he stated. According to Casimir, the Ministry of Finance, not the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, financed all celebrations for Alfred.
He clarified that the school sports budget is strictly allocated and cannot be diverted to other expenses. Casimir criticized certain opposition members for spreading misinformation, suggesting their behavior could negatively impact young people’s moral development.
Teacher Disputes and Ministry Coordination
When asked about issues with physical education teachers, Casimir acknowledged challenges in coordination. He explained that in previous years, the Ministries of Youth Development and Education operated as one, which streamlined school sports organization. “With these ministries now separate, only four sports officers are responsible for numerous duties, which has led to occasional delays,” he said.
Casimir noted that an officer’s illness and an exceptionally busy year—preparing for the World Cup, the Olympics, and local events like the CPL—compounded logistical challenges. “There were some glitches,” he admitted, but he dismissed claims that these were signs of incompetence.
A New Approach to School Sports
Casimir outlined a new, dynamic approach for the future of school sports. “We are not thinking outside of the box; we are throwing the box,” he declared, stressing that his ministry is developing innovative solutions. The ministry is working to establish a school sports commission with representatives from the Ministry of Education, the police, and other community members.
This commission will coordinate school sports more effectively and may implement a weekend schedule for popular events, which has already yielded positive results with the island champs.
Looking Ahead
Casimir closed by highlighting the success of moving events like the island champs to weekends, and he mentioned ongoing discussions to enhance football competitions in collaboration with the St. Lucia Football Association. He affirmed that the ministry’s commitment to change is intended to yield long-term benefits for school sports across St. Lucia.
Source/Photo: Office of the Prime Minister (OPM)
