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Apr 08, 2011 at 05:04 AM
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The Haitian people have shown that it could be done, but doing it is one thing, making sure that it works is another thing all together. Are Saint Lucians ready to emulate the Haitians?
To those who have no idea what I am talking about let me rewind to last Monday when preliminary results showed that a musician, not a politician or any one from a recognized political party in Haiti, but a musician Michel Martelly won presidential elections.
I need not describe what Haitian politics is all about neither do I have to reiterate what the politicians have done to Haiti. As proud a people as the Haitians are blame for the condition Haiti is in rests heavily on the politicians who have ruled Haiti.
Therefore it is no wonder that Haitians this time around selected and catapulted a fresh face into the presidential chair. They had enough of the politicians. Martelly was not from the establishment. The big question is whether Martelly can be different than his predecessors. Can he deliver? Did Haitians do the right thing in the gamble they took with an entertainer?
Are Saint Lucians prepared to take that type of gamble, putting into office a fresh political party with fresh faces?
As Saint Lucians ready themselves to go to the polls later this year their choice of leadership lies between the Saint Lucia Labour Party, the United Workers Party and the Lucian Peoples Movement. The latter is the new kid on the block, but are they the fresh face Saint Lucians want? What really do Saint Lucians want?
Many Saint Lucians, over the years have made it clear that they are fed-up with both the Labour Party and the United Workers Party, both of which have a strong following. Over the years there has been a clamour for fresh faces in local politics, and to be fair both parties have tried, over the years to provide fresh faces in their line-up, particularly the Labour Party, the evidence of which is very clear, yet the call for fresh faces are still being made.
Let’s not forget the calls over the years for a third political party. Even that has been tried and thrown out, for several reasons including the failure of the people to gravitate towards this third party even though they have been calling for a third party.
Saint Lucians now face general elections. Will they go with one of the old guards or will they, this time around, take the fresh face before them which has no political experience, no semblance of stability in Saint Lucia and wielding a long distance approach that stands to alienate them from the people rather than draw them closer to the people?
Can the Lucian Peoples Movement speak to the people and not at the people as some in the established political parties do?
Does the Lucian Peoples Movement have the credentials to run the country and give Saint Lucians hope for the immediate future?
But most importantly do Saint Lucians this time around really want a fresh faced political party to manage their affairs and will they go all out to achieve that bearing in mind the shortcomings of such a party?
To those who have no idea what I am talking about let me rewind to last Monday when preliminary results showed that a musician, not a politician or any one from a recognized political party in Haiti, but a musician Michel Martelly won presidential elections.
I need not describe what Haitian politics is all about neither do I have to reiterate what the politicians have done to Haiti. As proud a people as the Haitians are blame for the condition Haiti is in rests heavily on the politicians who have ruled Haiti.
Therefore it is no wonder that Haitians this time around selected and catapulted a fresh face into the presidential chair. They had enough of the politicians. Martelly was not from the establishment. The big question is whether Martelly can be different than his predecessors. Can he deliver? Did Haitians do the right thing in the gamble they took with an entertainer?
Are Saint Lucians prepared to take that type of gamble, putting into office a fresh political party with fresh faces?
As Saint Lucians ready themselves to go to the polls later this year their choice of leadership lies between the Saint Lucia Labour Party, the United Workers Party and the Lucian Peoples Movement. The latter is the new kid on the block, but are they the fresh face Saint Lucians want? What really do Saint Lucians want?
Many Saint Lucians, over the years have made it clear that they are fed-up with both the Labour Party and the United Workers Party, both of which have a strong following. Over the years there has been a clamour for fresh faces in local politics, and to be fair both parties have tried, over the years to provide fresh faces in their line-up, particularly the Labour Party, the evidence of which is very clear, yet the call for fresh faces are still being made.
Let’s not forget the calls over the years for a third political party. Even that has been tried and thrown out, for several reasons including the failure of the people to gravitate towards this third party even though they have been calling for a third party.
Saint Lucians now face general elections. Will they go with one of the old guards or will they, this time around, take the fresh face before them which has no political experience, no semblance of stability in Saint Lucia and wielding a long distance approach that stands to alienate them from the people rather than draw them closer to the people?
Can the Lucian Peoples Movement speak to the people and not at the people as some in the established political parties do?
Does the Lucian Peoples Movement have the credentials to run the country and give Saint Lucians hope for the immediate future?
But most importantly do Saint Lucians this time around really want a fresh faced political party to manage their affairs and will they go all out to achieve that bearing in mind the shortcomings of such a party?
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On April 12 Saint Lucia is set to have a joint sitting of Parliament to discuss the issue of crime and security. The sitting has been a long time in coming and many Saint Lucians are looking for a definitive strategy from the government, which includes the opposition, on fighting crime. Equally, the country is looking for the opposition Saint Lucia Labour Party and the United Workers Party government to work together on this issue.
Although for the last several weeks the rates of gun related crimes have dwindled, thanks some say to the police’s ‘Operation Restore Confidence’, St Lucians will not soon forget the blood that littered our streets throughout the month of January as police and criminals battled it out. And for some this quiet on the crime front that we are experiencing might well be the eye of the storm.
Following the passage of Hurricane Tomas in October of last year Saint Lucians came together and the political lines that divided us seemed to blur if only for a moment. Crime, I believe, can do more damage to our country than any hurricane ever could. The calls for years to not politicize crime have fallen on death ears, as almost everything in St Lucia seems to turn into a blame game.
What do we expect from our politicians on April 12? Well, we should expect them to check their political stripes at the door and remember first and foremost that they are Saint Lucians before they are red or yellow. Perhaps the National Anthem should be played or they can repeat their Oath of Office to remind them of their duty.
Though this is an election year and our leaders might be tempted to point fingers and want to underscore one another’s mistakes I urge them to instead understand and accept that both the United Workers Party and the Saint Lucia Labour Party governments have performed dismally on the crime issue and they faced the same challenges that still exist.
I recall earlier this year sitting at the funeral ceremony for banker Andrew Baptiste. He was the first murder for the year—a bullet to his head. Attending the funeral at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception were both the Leader of the Opposition and the Prime Minister. While delivering the homily Father Jason Biscette made a passionate plea directly to our leaders.
“I see a number of politicians in church now,” he said, “tell us, show us, I beg you, that you are in fact serious about changing the culture of violence by sitting down with each other. Because you are setting the example of violence, not with guns and knives but with harsh words, and with the destruction of each other’s reputations. You are setting the example of violence and are showing our children that if this is your opponent what you do—useless, senseless, baseless criticism and counter criticism. And you expect anything better from the rest of us?”
Biscette even said he would be a mediator if the UWP and SLP leaders were to meet and discuss crime.
“Forget what two letters come before your “P” and focus on the fact that you both have “P”. You both have something in common. You both, I hope, have some goal, some vision in common which is to change the reality. Begin from that reality—that you both have something that you are aiming towards and work from there. And agree to disagree when that is necessary. Because the evil one who is leading the war against us, is having a hearty time. He looks at us and he says, yes, they know what’s wrong, but they don’t
have the testicular fortitude to do what they have to do to stop it.”
So do our leaders have the testicular fortitude? Do they have the balls to stop the hate and by extension the violence, in an election year and do what is right for Saint Lucia?
With these thoughts in mind I watched the Barbados Labour Party’s Mia Mottley as she spoke on the Appropriations Bill 2011/2012 in that country recently. Now, that lady has balls. Seemingly setting her party affiliation aside, the former Opposition Leader and current representative for St Michael North East, made a very important point about the way politicians had been carrying out the business of that country seemingly oblivious to the issues the people faced. A point that could easily be applied to Saint Lucia’s own parliamentary sittings which often turns to a blame game that is of no benefit. St Lucians hardly even pay attention to what goes on in the House of Assembly anymore.
Mottley began her presentation by stating plainly that she was not happy with the level of debate over the Bill.
“I rise in this debate cognizant that what is before this very chamber is in essence a set of figures that is to reflect the program of the government of Barbados based on estimates as to how much money will be earned and based on a program of expenditure. And while that is the immediate issue at hand one cannot help but start my contribution without reflecting on a few things that jumped home to me yesterday and today while listening to the speeches thus far,” she said. “I listened to the minister of finance and I could easily have been listening to the minister of finance on our side a few years ago. I listened to members on that side seek to justify and prescribe blame to the Barbados Labour Party and I listened to members on our side seeking to prescribe blame to the Democratic Labour Party. How many people out there are really interesting in who is to blame other than it will become a relevant consideration at the point of an election? I concede that. But in terms of the ability to buy food this week, in terms of the ability to pay for the increased gas, particularly LPG, in terms of their ability to pay their rent or to recognize that they are now paying increased light bills, people are not interested in that debate that is taking place in here.”
By Mottley’s measure Barbadians were interested “in what the government is going to do in the next year and they are interested in if we are continuing to ask people in this country to make sacrifices, what are we making them in aid of, where are you taking me so that I know that even if I am to make a sacrifice in the broader interest of this country I know my destination point, I know where I am going.”
The Opposition Member went on: “I fear Sir that as a collective, all of us, have not met that objective. And I fear in failing to meet that objective at this juncture when our buffer, our room for maneuvering is so minimal, that we do so at our peril but greater so at the peril of the confidence of the population in the class that governs them. I say so Sir cognizant that this is not a zero sum game, there is no clear winner or loser, there is no clear monopoly to information or solutions.
But what we are asking for is for a country to pull together at its most difficult period in post independence Barbados. Whether triggered by international economic factors or domestic policy considerations by whichever government. Those with surpluses, those with deficits, it matters not, but what matters is where we take the country and what we ask of each other in taking the country to that destination. I therefore pray that in the remaining days ahead of us that we will come in to connection with the reality of the expectations of those whom we represent. They are aware of the acute nature of circumstances . . .
“They are aware that something is amiss, they know that they are carrying home less money, and they are having less money to meet increased costs. They know if they are small businesses that they are struggling to keep their heads above water because much of the disposable income that our citizens would have otherwise had in order to get a manicure, pedicure or go to the hairdresser, in order to buy things that you would normally buy for your children, in order to let them go to the movies with their friends . . . . they know they cannot do that with the ease they did before. They know they have to start to grow vegetables in their back yards because they don’t have the option of being able to buy vegetables in the supermarket at high cost.
“So what is our response?” Mottley asked her colleagues. “When our car breaks down we go to a mechanic! Equally, if we are feeling poorly, if our stomachs are hurting, and the remedies that we have inherited are no longer working we go to the doctor. If there is a problem in the country in relation to how the society and the economy is evolving, households, workers, everyone, they expect that we who occupy the chambers of the legislature and the government are equal to the task of fixing it. If there is one message in this debate that is as clear as punch, it is that there must be a fresh guard. Not a fresh guard for the Barbados Labour Party or the Democratic Labour Party but a fresh guard for the government of Barbados and the development policies that we have been adhering to since independence. Not a fresh guard for the minister of finance or the shadow
minister of finance but a fresh guard for a country that can no longer depend on significant import duties . . .
“There are difficult decisions,” she said. “I ask the government in all sincerity to establish a framework for a national dialogue. Politicians are afraid to be the ones to put out there anything that will lead to the dislocation of any particular group. But the bald reality is that if we don’t adjust and restructure we are all going to go down the slippery slopes. I don’t know when but I know for sure we will go. I believe that the prime minister has a unique opportunity. One cast on his shoulders by history but one from which I believe he should have the courage to confront fully. It is not a case of anybody expecting that there is a monopoly of information on any one side or in any one group.”
In Barbados Mottley’s contribution to the national debate was lauded. An article in The Bajan Reporter stated: “Those who were waiting for tribal politics and vilification of the Minister of Finance and the DLP would have felt let-down, but those who wish Barbados well and want it to succeed, must still be smiling.”
Don’t our politicians wish St Lucia well? In fact, shouldn’t our politicians wish Saint Lucia well? Isn’t it clear that no one benefits from a high crime rate in the
end? Is it not clear that in fact none of us are safe from crime?
When they meet on April 12, I would hope our politicians would take the high road that Barbados’ Mia Mottley has taken. And as we later proceed to the budget debate of 2011-2012 in St Lucia I hope that the media could write and report on the stately and mature contributions made in our House of Assembly. I am sure most St Lucians will be watching with cautious optimism.
As I write, already the Joint Sitting of Parliament has been tainted by talk of who came up with the idea in the first place. The SLP PRO can be heard over the news accusing the government of hijacking the idea which the Labour Party says was first proposed by Labour MP Robert Lewis. The government has in turn responded by press release accusing the Labour Party of narrow political interest.
It seems our politicians appear bent on walking the path to nowhere
Although for the last several weeks the rates of gun related crimes have dwindled, thanks some say to the police’s ‘Operation Restore Confidence’, St Lucians will not soon forget the blood that littered our streets throughout the month of January as police and criminals battled it out. And for some this quiet on the crime front that we are experiencing might well be the eye of the storm.
Following the passage of Hurricane Tomas in October of last year Saint Lucians came together and the political lines that divided us seemed to blur if only for a moment. Crime, I believe, can do more damage to our country than any hurricane ever could. The calls for years to not politicize crime have fallen on death ears, as almost everything in St Lucia seems to turn into a blame game.
What do we expect from our politicians on April 12? Well, we should expect them to check their political stripes at the door and remember first and foremost that they are Saint Lucians before they are red or yellow. Perhaps the National Anthem should be played or they can repeat their Oath of Office to remind them of their duty.
Though this is an election year and our leaders might be tempted to point fingers and want to underscore one another’s mistakes I urge them to instead understand and accept that both the United Workers Party and the Saint Lucia Labour Party governments have performed dismally on the crime issue and they faced the same challenges that still exist.
I recall earlier this year sitting at the funeral ceremony for banker Andrew Baptiste. He was the first murder for the year—a bullet to his head. Attending the funeral at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception were both the Leader of the Opposition and the Prime Minister. While delivering the homily Father Jason Biscette made a passionate plea directly to our leaders.
“I see a number of politicians in church now,” he said, “tell us, show us, I beg you, that you are in fact serious about changing the culture of violence by sitting down with each other. Because you are setting the example of violence, not with guns and knives but with harsh words, and with the destruction of each other’s reputations. You are setting the example of violence and are showing our children that if this is your opponent what you do—useless, senseless, baseless criticism and counter criticism. And you expect anything better from the rest of us?”
Biscette even said he would be a mediator if the UWP and SLP leaders were to meet and discuss crime.
“Forget what two letters come before your “P” and focus on the fact that you both have “P”. You both have something in common. You both, I hope, have some goal, some vision in common which is to change the reality. Begin from that reality—that you both have something that you are aiming towards and work from there. And agree to disagree when that is necessary. Because the evil one who is leading the war against us, is having a hearty time. He looks at us and he says, yes, they know what’s wrong, but they don’t
have the testicular fortitude to do what they have to do to stop it.”
So do our leaders have the testicular fortitude? Do they have the balls to stop the hate and by extension the violence, in an election year and do what is right for Saint Lucia?
With these thoughts in mind I watched the Barbados Labour Party’s Mia Mottley as she spoke on the Appropriations Bill 2011/2012 in that country recently. Now, that lady has balls. Seemingly setting her party affiliation aside, the former Opposition Leader and current representative for St Michael North East, made a very important point about the way politicians had been carrying out the business of that country seemingly oblivious to the issues the people faced. A point that could easily be applied to Saint Lucia’s own parliamentary sittings which often turns to a blame game that is of no benefit. St Lucians hardly even pay attention to what goes on in the House of Assembly anymore.
Mottley began her presentation by stating plainly that she was not happy with the level of debate over the Bill.
“I rise in this debate cognizant that what is before this very chamber is in essence a set of figures that is to reflect the program of the government of Barbados based on estimates as to how much money will be earned and based on a program of expenditure. And while that is the immediate issue at hand one cannot help but start my contribution without reflecting on a few things that jumped home to me yesterday and today while listening to the speeches thus far,” she said. “I listened to the minister of finance and I could easily have been listening to the minister of finance on our side a few years ago. I listened to members on that side seek to justify and prescribe blame to the Barbados Labour Party and I listened to members on our side seeking to prescribe blame to the Democratic Labour Party. How many people out there are really interesting in who is to blame other than it will become a relevant consideration at the point of an election? I concede that. But in terms of the ability to buy food this week, in terms of the ability to pay for the increased gas, particularly LPG, in terms of their ability to pay their rent or to recognize that they are now paying increased light bills, people are not interested in that debate that is taking place in here.”
By Mottley’s measure Barbadians were interested “in what the government is going to do in the next year and they are interested in if we are continuing to ask people in this country to make sacrifices, what are we making them in aid of, where are you taking me so that I know that even if I am to make a sacrifice in the broader interest of this country I know my destination point, I know where I am going.”
The Opposition Member went on: “I fear Sir that as a collective, all of us, have not met that objective. And I fear in failing to meet that objective at this juncture when our buffer, our room for maneuvering is so minimal, that we do so at our peril but greater so at the peril of the confidence of the population in the class that governs them. I say so Sir cognizant that this is not a zero sum game, there is no clear winner or loser, there is no clear monopoly to information or solutions.
But what we are asking for is for a country to pull together at its most difficult period in post independence Barbados. Whether triggered by international economic factors or domestic policy considerations by whichever government. Those with surpluses, those with deficits, it matters not, but what matters is where we take the country and what we ask of each other in taking the country to that destination. I therefore pray that in the remaining days ahead of us that we will come in to connection with the reality of the expectations of those whom we represent. They are aware of the acute nature of circumstances . . .
“They are aware that something is amiss, they know that they are carrying home less money, and they are having less money to meet increased costs. They know if they are small businesses that they are struggling to keep their heads above water because much of the disposable income that our citizens would have otherwise had in order to get a manicure, pedicure or go to the hairdresser, in order to buy things that you would normally buy for your children, in order to let them go to the movies with their friends . . . . they know they cannot do that with the ease they did before. They know they have to start to grow vegetables in their back yards because they don’t have the option of being able to buy vegetables in the supermarket at high cost.
“So what is our response?” Mottley asked her colleagues. “When our car breaks down we go to a mechanic! Equally, if we are feeling poorly, if our stomachs are hurting, and the remedies that we have inherited are no longer working we go to the doctor. If there is a problem in the country in relation to how the society and the economy is evolving, households, workers, everyone, they expect that we who occupy the chambers of the legislature and the government are equal to the task of fixing it. If there is one message in this debate that is as clear as punch, it is that there must be a fresh guard. Not a fresh guard for the Barbados Labour Party or the Democratic Labour Party but a fresh guard for the government of Barbados and the development policies that we have been adhering to since independence. Not a fresh guard for the minister of finance or the shadow
minister of finance but a fresh guard for a country that can no longer depend on significant import duties . . .
“There are difficult decisions,” she said. “I ask the government in all sincerity to establish a framework for a national dialogue. Politicians are afraid to be the ones to put out there anything that will lead to the dislocation of any particular group. But the bald reality is that if we don’t adjust and restructure we are all going to go down the slippery slopes. I don’t know when but I know for sure we will go. I believe that the prime minister has a unique opportunity. One cast on his shoulders by history but one from which I believe he should have the courage to confront fully. It is not a case of anybody expecting that there is a monopoly of information on any one side or in any one group.”
In Barbados Mottley’s contribution to the national debate was lauded. An article in The Bajan Reporter stated: “Those who were waiting for tribal politics and vilification of the Minister of Finance and the DLP would have felt let-down, but those who wish Barbados well and want it to succeed, must still be smiling.”
Don’t our politicians wish St Lucia well? In fact, shouldn’t our politicians wish Saint Lucia well? Isn’t it clear that no one benefits from a high crime rate in the
end? Is it not clear that in fact none of us are safe from crime?
When they meet on April 12, I would hope our politicians would take the high road that Barbados’ Mia Mottley has taken. And as we later proceed to the budget debate of 2011-2012 in St Lucia I hope that the media could write and report on the stately and mature contributions made in our House of Assembly. I am sure most St Lucians will be watching with cautious optimism.
As I write, already the Joint Sitting of Parliament has been tainted by talk of who came up with the idea in the first place. The SLP PRO can be heard over the news accusing the government of hijacking the idea which the Labour Party says was first proposed by Labour MP Robert Lewis. The government has in turn responded by press release accusing the Labour Party of narrow political interest.
It seems our politicians appear bent on walking the path to nowhere
Jamaican dancehall artiste, Mavado was in Trinidad recently for a show. To promote his Trinidad concert, Mavado was interviewed by JW (also known for his PALANCE fame) on SYNERGY TV. Mavado was asked about his 2010 soca collaboration "Badda Dan Dem" with Trinidad soca artiste KMC (Ken Marlon Charles). The DJs played a piece of the tune, but Mavado looked shocked and confused. Mavado then stated "THAT'S NOT ME" and did not know of an artiste named, KMC either. Mavado claimed he never recorded any song with soca artiste KMC (Ken Marlon Charles).
The Regional Security System RSS is to benefit from additional US and Canadian support. Both countries have recognized the detrimental effects organized crime is having on the economies of the Americas and the Caribbean. High Commissioner of Canada Ruth Archibald says her country is assisting the RSS in training and have already funded a needs assessment survey.
“The needs assessment was funded with the knowledge that there would be a later application for additional funds to help implement its recommendations.
“ We have been consulting with the RSS about what should be included in the proposal. It is our expectation that support will be obtained to cover a share of the cost currently anticipated for the next three years.”
Charge d'Affaires of the United States to the Eastern Caribbean – Dr. Brent Hardt reiterated his government's commitment to the RSS particularly through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative(CBSI) established about two years ago. The CBSI initiative has a three-prong approach to fighting criminality.
“Step one to substantially reduce illicit trafficking. We do this by countering and reducing narcotics trafficking, the trafficking of small arms, trafficking in persons, by focusing our joint efforts on criminal organizations and by taking steps to counter and reduce money laundering.
“The second element is to advance public safety and security. We do this by seeking to prevent and reduce crime and violence, and to dismantle and disrupt gangs and focus on broader security measures.”
Another area to receive assistance is in the promotion of social justice, by providing greater employment opportunities for youth at risk, and increasing the justice sector capacity to successfully prosecute criminals.
“The needs assessment was funded with the knowledge that there would be a later application for additional funds to help implement its recommendations.
“ We have been consulting with the RSS about what should be included in the proposal. It is our expectation that support will be obtained to cover a share of the cost currently anticipated for the next three years.”
Charge d'Affaires of the United States to the Eastern Caribbean – Dr. Brent Hardt reiterated his government's commitment to the RSS particularly through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative(CBSI) established about two years ago. The CBSI initiative has a three-prong approach to fighting criminality.
“Step one to substantially reduce illicit trafficking. We do this by countering and reducing narcotics trafficking, the trafficking of small arms, trafficking in persons, by focusing our joint efforts on criminal organizations and by taking steps to counter and reduce money laundering.
“The second element is to advance public safety and security. We do this by seeking to prevent and reduce crime and violence, and to dismantle and disrupt gangs and focus on broader security measures.”
Another area to receive assistance is in the promotion of social justice, by providing greater employment opportunities for youth at risk, and increasing the justice sector capacity to successfully prosecute criminals.
It’s been referred to as a unique opportunity and quite possibly a life changing one. That’s how a high profile ex-footballer who played for several premier league football teams, referred to Search for a Star St Lucia which provides two St Lucian footballers the opportunity to travel from St Lucia, to showcase their talent to coaches with the Tottenham Hotspurs Football Club (THFC) in the United Kingdom.
The high profile ex-footballer is Les Ferdinand of St Lucian parentage. He was recently here along with Assistant Technical Director at THFC, Chris Ramsey, to explain what Search for a Star St Lucia is all about by way of a press conference Saturday Morning at the Players Pavilion, Beausejour Cricket Ground. Also in attendance was Minister of Sports, Lenard Montoute, Director of Tourism, Louis Lewis; and Permanent Secretary in the Department of Youth and Sports, Donovan Williams.
How did this particular initiative come about? Leslie Fevrier, a successful football scout, saw some exceptional football talent while hosting a football tour here in 2009. He noted that a number of players demonstrated exceptional talent and felt if these players had been identified earlier, they could possibly play at a professional level.
Ferdinand believes there is lots of talent in St Lucia that is untapped and pointed out that he’s seen players come from Jamaica, Trinidad and other islands in the Caribbean come to the premiere, gone into English football and done pretty well.
In further explaining the concept behind Search for a Star St Lucia, Ramsey said: “We hope to carry this out by working in conjunction with the St Lucia Football Association (SLFA) and the 19 affiliates that are presently in St Lucia, to guide us in choosing the best players for our final trial taking place in June.”
The plan is to divide the island into four areas, north, south, east and west with a two-day training camp set up in area beginning as early as June 11. Each area will have three training sessions over the two-day period. Boys aged 16 plus will be invited to participate in the trials and display their skills to two coaches and a scout from the THFC. Sixteen players from each area will be invited to one location on the island, where they will take part in a further set of intensive tests on the final two days. From here a maximum of two boys will be chosen, to travel to the UK where they will undergo training over a two week period at the THFC.
Upon completion, Ferdinand and Ramsey along with the coaching staff at the THFC who have monitored the boy’s progress during their trial period, will decide if a contract should be awarded to any of the boys.
Minister Montoute gave the visitors his blessing. He said: “This initiative has government’s full support and we are very excited about the whole concept. We believe this is a golden opportunity to give our young footballers in St Lucia an opportunity to go further afield and develop themselves and make a profession out of football should they land a professional contract.”
Speaking on behalf of the SLTB, Lewis said: “We fully support and endorse this project. It is a very unique opportunity that we have now from two perspectives. One is that the tourist board has always been keenly interested in promoting sports tourism and I think concept fits well down that stream.”
He mentioned that the second reason deals with the tourist board having always seen the importance of the Diaspora as a market for promoting the destination.
The high profile ex-footballer is Les Ferdinand of St Lucian parentage. He was recently here along with Assistant Technical Director at THFC, Chris Ramsey, to explain what Search for a Star St Lucia is all about by way of a press conference Saturday Morning at the Players Pavilion, Beausejour Cricket Ground. Also in attendance was Minister of Sports, Lenard Montoute, Director of Tourism, Louis Lewis; and Permanent Secretary in the Department of Youth and Sports, Donovan Williams.
How did this particular initiative come about? Leslie Fevrier, a successful football scout, saw some exceptional football talent while hosting a football tour here in 2009. He noted that a number of players demonstrated exceptional talent and felt if these players had been identified earlier, they could possibly play at a professional level.
Ferdinand believes there is lots of talent in St Lucia that is untapped and pointed out that he’s seen players come from Jamaica, Trinidad and other islands in the Caribbean come to the premiere, gone into English football and done pretty well.
In further explaining the concept behind Search for a Star St Lucia, Ramsey said: “We hope to carry this out by working in conjunction with the St Lucia Football Association (SLFA) and the 19 affiliates that are presently in St Lucia, to guide us in choosing the best players for our final trial taking place in June.”
The plan is to divide the island into four areas, north, south, east and west with a two-day training camp set up in area beginning as early as June 11. Each area will have three training sessions over the two-day period. Boys aged 16 plus will be invited to participate in the trials and display their skills to two coaches and a scout from the THFC. Sixteen players from each area will be invited to one location on the island, where they will take part in a further set of intensive tests on the final two days. From here a maximum of two boys will be chosen, to travel to the UK where they will undergo training over a two week period at the THFC.
Upon completion, Ferdinand and Ramsey along with the coaching staff at the THFC who have monitored the boy’s progress during their trial period, will decide if a contract should be awarded to any of the boys.
Minister Montoute gave the visitors his blessing. He said: “This initiative has government’s full support and we are very excited about the whole concept. We believe this is a golden opportunity to give our young footballers in St Lucia an opportunity to go further afield and develop themselves and make a profession out of football should they land a professional contract.”
Speaking on behalf of the SLTB, Lewis said: “We fully support and endorse this project. It is a very unique opportunity that we have now from two perspectives. One is that the tourist board has always been keenly interested in promoting sports tourism and I think concept fits well down that stream.”
He mentioned that the second reason deals with the tourist board having always seen the importance of the Diaspora as a market for promoting the destination.
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