The Department of Youth Development and Sports has strongly condemned Monday’s deadly attack at the Soufriere Mini Stadium, describing the incident as a brazen act of violence in a space meant to serve young people, families, athletes and the wider community.
Permanent Secretary Dr. Uralise Delaire said the attack has left the Ministry “deeply concerned” and “profoundly saddened,” stressing that sporting facilities must never become “scenes of fear and criminality,” but instead remain places of “discipline, mentorship, recreation, hope and positive transformation.”
Highlighting the broader implications of the incident, Dr. Delaire noted that such violence strikes directly at the core values sport is meant to uphold, including “respect, peace, unity and human dignity,” and warned that it is particularly troubling that the attack occurred within an environment dedicated to nurturing youth and building stronger communities.
She made it clear that “violence has no place in our sporting spaces, our communities, or our nation,” while underscoring the urgent need for heightened vigilance, stronger community responsibility and closer collaboration with security agencies to protect public facilities.
Dr. Delaire further emphasized that young people must always feel secure in these environments, cautioning that “we cannot allow acts of lawlessness to erode the sanctity of spaces created to inspire dreams and foster opportunity,” as the Department reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding sport as a vehicle for peace, social cohesion and national development.
The Department says it will continue working closely with relevant authorities to ensure that sporting venues remain safe, secure and welcoming for all.
