Minister for Education, Youth Development and Sports, Kenson Casimir, says the Island Champs 2026 could play a critical role in identifying the next generation of elite athletes, including future stars in the mould of Julien Alfred and Naomi London.
Speaking on the sidelines of the competition at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Casimir praised the overall execution of the event, highlighting its growing impact on youth athletics in Saint Lucia.
“Our ambition is to continue searching for the next Julien Alfred, the next Naomi London, the next generation of elite athletes coming out of Saint Lucia,” the Minister said.
He noted that competition across events has been intense, with championship titles still undecided.
“Events are being keenly contested. We will have to wait until the very end to determine who will take the boys’ and girls’ championships. The atmosphere has been very good overall,” Casimir stated.
The Minister also pointed to strong patron turnout as a sign of the event’s increasing appeal.
“We’re seeing a lot of people enjoying the experience, even beyond the stands. The logistics have been solid, and the overall production has been very, very good. We are satisfied with the direction in which this event is going,” he added.
Casimir emphasized that Island Champs continues to grow each year, with steady improvements in organization and participation.
“We’ve taken this event stride by stride, and I believe next year it will be even better,” he said.
He also underscored the importance of corporate support in expanding the event’s reach and impact.
“We need more corporate sponsorship. While we appreciate the support from partners like Digicel, KFC, ACADO and the Bank of Saint Lucia, we need broader investment from the private sector to take this event to the level we envision.”
The Minister commended the strong presence of parents and teachers, noting their role in supporting student-athletes.
“I am very impressed with the number of parents here today. It’s encouraging to see parents and teachers working together in support of our young people,” he said.
Casimir also welcomed the decision to host the event on a Sunday, which allowed for increased attendance despite uncertain weather conditions.
Looking ahead, he confirmed that efforts are ongoing to upgrade facilities for school athletics, including plans to refurbish the George Odlum Stadium, which is expected to serve as the future home of the competition.
“Once that facility is ready, it will provide an even better environment for this event. For now, the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground is serving us well, with adequate space, strong production quality, and safe conditions,” he said.
The Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to youth development through sport, expressing confidence that Island Champs will continue to grow in both scale and impact.
