Carib Scope

标签： Saint Lucia

圣卢西亚

  • Clothesline display sparks conversation on challenges facing men and boys

    Clothesline display sparks conversation on challenges facing men and boys

    In the heart of Castries at Derek Walcott Square, a unique public art installation — strings of clotheslines strung across the green, holding everyday garments for men and boys of all ages — has become an unexpected catalyst for open, vulnerable dialogue about the rarely centered struggles of men across Saint Lucia.

    Organized earlier this week by the Department of Gender Affairs under the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Gender and Older Persons, the interactive display is part of a series of lead-up events for Father’s Day, and aligns with the ministry’s newly launched national campaign, *Fathers Who Care: Men Raising the Next Generation*. Unlike traditional awareness events that rely on lectures or printed materials, the unassuming clothing installation was designed to draw the curiosity of everyday passersby, turning a casual stop in the public square into an opportunity for reflection and connection.

    Janey Joseph, Director of the Department of Gender Affairs, explained that the project grew out of a longstanding gap in public discourse: issues facing men and boys are often sidelined in conversations about social development and gender equity, even as they grapple with unique, unaddressed barriers to personal and familial well-being. “The clothing display worked exactly as we hoped it would — it caught the eye of people who would otherwise never stop to engage with this topic, and gave us a natural opening to talk about what men in our country actually go through,” Joseph shared in an interview after the event. “Our goal was to create a low-pressure public space where people could unpack what fatherhood really means, celebrate the critical role fathers play in children’s lives, and talk openly about the hurdles that hold too many men back.”

    To the team’s delight, public response — especially from men in attendance — far exceeded initial expectations. Dozens of participants opened up about their personal experiences as fathers, guardians, and young men navigating social expectations of masculinity, with many openly acknowledging the gaps in support they face to show up as the parents they aspire to be. “What struck us most was how many men were hungry for this space,” Joseph noted. “They didn’t hold back — they talked about the pressures they feel, the uncertainty they experience when raising kids, and how little access they have to resources that are made for them.”

    The impact of the day extended beyond just conversation: one participating father was directly connected to a local development partner that offers specialized parenting guidance and support for men, delivering on the campaign’s core goal of turning dialogue into tangible action. “That is exactly the kind of outcome we worked toward,” Joseph said. “It’s one thing to talk about issues — it’s another to connect someone to the help they need to thrive as a parent.”

    Joseph emphasized that the initiative marks a critical shift in Saint Lucia’s approach to gender equity and social development, marking a growing recognition that supporting men and boys is not an afterthought, but a core component of building a more inclusive society. “As a department and a ministry, we know that men and boys face challenges that are specific to their experiences,” she explained. “These issues matter, and they deserve intentional attention. When we talk about gender equality, lifting up men and boys isn’t separate from that work — it’s essential to building stronger families, healthier communities, and a country that leaves no one behind.”

    Moving forward, the clothing display is just one piece of the ongoing *Fathers Who Care* campaign, which has a broader mandate to promote responsible, supported fatherhood, strengthen intergenerational family bonds, and expand access to resources for men as they take on roles as parents, mentors, and positive community role models.

  • Kings, Blazers for KFC basketball finals rematch

    Kings, Blazers for KFC basketball finals rematch

    The 2026 KFC National Basketball League is down to its final two contenders, with the Soufrière Kings and Bonne Terre Blazers advancing to the title decider after winning their best-of-three semifinal matchups Friday night at the Beausejour Gymnasium. For the Kings, the journey to the championship continues their pursuit of an unprecedented third consecutive league title, while the Blazers, who claimed the 2023 championship when the tournament resumed following a five-year suspension, are returning to the final to fight for their second crown in four years.

    In the first semifinal, the Soufrière Kings secured a convincing 76-63 victory over the Morne Gladiators, in a rematch of the 2024 championship final. After a chaotic, heated opening quarter that set a tense tone for the matchup, the Kings seized control of the game, stretching their lead to as much as 20 points in the final 10 minutes of play to lock in their final spot.

    The defining edge for the Kings came from their relentless defensive pressure and sharp focus on ball security. Defensive pressure forced the Gladiators into 29 total turnovers, while the Kings forced 23 steals across the roster – with five different Kings players notching four or more steals each – and only gave up the ball 16 times. Conversely, the Gladiators only managed 10 steals total, a gap that ultimately sealed their fate.

    Leading the charge for the Kings was Sydney Didier, who delivered an all-around standout performance, filling the stat sheet with 23 points, five rebounds, five steals, and three assists. Starting forward Jayzee Saltibus played through an early ankle injury to record a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds, adding four steals to his line. Playmaker Kimani Charles fell just short of a double-double, putting up 10 points, nine assists, four rebounds, and four steals to round out the Kings’ top contributors. For the Gladiators, Keegan Preville and Shamoir Jn Baptiste combined for 31 total points, with Preville adding 10 rebounds, while Cletuson Leon led the team on the glass with 12 boards.

    In the second semifinal, the Bonne Terre Blazers outlasted the Courts Jets in a tightly contested nailbiter, pulling out a narrow 65-63 win to secure their spot in the championship. The result marked the Blazers’ fourth straight victory over the Jets this season. The Blazers controlled much of the game after the first three quarters, building a lead of as much as 12 points before holding off a late push from the Jets to secure the two-point win. Strong offensive rebounding and better ball management were the key differences for the Blazers, mirroring the winning formula the Kings used earlier in the night.

    Andre Louison led the Blazers with a near-triple-double performance, putting up 18 points, 10 rebounds, seven steals, and three assists. Troy Louison topped the team’s scoring with 20 points, adding nine rebounds, while center Orin Thomas chipped in four points and 10 rebounds to anchor the frontcourt. For the Jets, guard Ryan Philogene led all scorers with 20 points and added seven steals, but his standout performance was not enough to overcome the Blazers’ early lead.

  • D1 pilots successful primary school netball programme

    D1 pilots successful primary school netball programme

    A nine-month grassroots netball development initiative launched by the Department of Youth Development & Sports culminated in a vibrant celebratory festival held on June 19 at the Beausejour Gymnasium, showcasing the progress of young primary school athletes from the region’s northernmost district. The programme, which kicked off in September ahead of the 2025-2026 academic year, targeted primary schools across District One, bringing more than 100 young male and female participants from eight local schools plus visiting guest team Camille Henry Memorial to the end-of-programme showcase.

    Roxanne Snyder, District One’s sports coordinator and a senior national netball player, former track athlete, and physical educator, outlined the deliberate, skill-first structure of the initiative. Unlike typical quick-entry sports programmes that rush students into full match play, the development model prioritized foundational movement literacy over early competition. “In the first and second terms, all our work centered on core fundamentals: passing technique, controlled catching, proper jumping form, and safe landing,” Snyder explained. “Only in the third term did we integrate those basics into full netball-specific gameplay.”

    The programme fills a gap in traditional primary school athletic offerings across the region, where common sports have long been limited to track and field, football, cricket, and table tennis—disciplines that remain dominant even at the secondary level. Snyder argues that netball offers unique benefits that transcend the sport itself, building well-rounded athletic ability that translates to any physical activity. “From my years of experience as an athlete, I’ve seen how netball cultivates a holistic student-athlete,” she noted. “It improves agility, makes athletes lighter on their feet, and builds all-purpose movement control that opens doors to any other sporting discipline they want to pursue later. We’re not just training netball players; we’re building versatile athletes.”

    At the close of the one-day festival, Dame Pearlette Louisy Primary claimed the top overall position, with La Guerre Primary and Balata Primary finishing second and third respectively. Event organizers emphasized that every participating school walked away as a winner, highlighting the initiative’s core focus on participation and development rather than elite competition.

    Alice Lynch, a national netball coach assigned to the Department of Youth Development and Sports, joined Snyder in praising the programme’s early impact, noting it lays critical groundwork for the future of national netball. “This is a game-changer for netball development in our country,” Lynch said. “From this group of young learners, we can identify and nurture talent that will one day represent our country on the under-16 national team. The progress we’ve seen already is extraordinary, and I’m so proud of the work District One has put in. Whenever we call for participants, they always step up with full teams ready to compete.”

    Lynch added that teaching foundational netball skills to young children is no small feat, requiring patient, step-by-step instruction—but the initiative has already paid off in visible enthusiasm. “Mastering basic netball technique takes time and consistent practice, but you can see how much the kids are enjoying the process. They’re engaged, they’re learning, and they love the sport.”

    Coordinated by head coach Marcia Montoute, the District One model serves as a blueprint for expansion across the country, Lynch said, urging principals and physical education leaders in other districts to adopt the programme to grow the sport. With strong, visible excitement from students, teachers, and attending parents around the inaugural festival, Lynch says she is eager to roll out the foundational netball development model islandwide in coming years.

  • Vieux Fort Police Station has safer space for victims of gender-based violence

    Vieux Fort Police Station has safer space for victims of gender-based violence

    Victims of gender-based violence in southern Saint Lucia now have access to a dedicated, private space to share their experiences and access support, after the official handover of a renovated counseling and interview suite at the Vieux Fort Police Station.

    The upgraded facility was purpose-built to address a longstanding gap in survivor care: it offers a confidential, trauma-sensitive environment where survivors of abuse and sexual violence can speak openly when filing reports or initiating their journey to healing. The project was delivered through the two-year STOP Gender-Based Violence Initiative, funded by the Government of France as part of broader regional efforts to strengthen frontline responses to gender-based harm across the Eastern Caribbean.

    Emma Hippolyte, Saint Lucia’s Minister for Gender Affairs, celebrated the launch of the new facility while urging stakeholders to look beyond infrastructure to drive meaningful change. Hippolyte emphasized that physical upgrades and policy reforms alone cannot end systemic gender-based violence, noting that deep-seated cultural change must start with shifting individual attitudes and behaviors.

    “Beyond filling a service gap and aligning with international standards, this new space shines a spotlight on the tireless work that officers from the Vulnerable Persons Unit have carried out for years with limited, inadequate resources,” Hippolyte said during the inauguration. “We must not fall into the trap of believing that a new law, a renovated room, or additional resources alone are enough to solve this crisis. True change begins with how we think and act toward survivors. If we uphold our government’s commitment to putting people first, these new tools will only help us serve vulnerable community members more effectively.”

    Superintendent Curtis Roberts, speaking on behalf of the Commissioner of Police and the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, framed the facility as far more than a physical renovation. “This space represents hope, dignity, and a collective promise that survivors of trauma will receive the compassionate, respectful care they deserve,” Roberts explained. “It provides a secure, private setting where survivors can speak freely, access professional support, and take their first steps toward healing. It strengthens our capacity to deliver survivor-centered services and reinforces our commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of Saint Lucia’s most vulnerable residents.”

    Marie-Noelle Duris, Ambassador of the French Republic to Saint Lucia and the Eastern Caribbean, highlighted the global scope of the gender-based violence crisis and the importance of cross-border collaboration to address it. “Gender-based violence is not an abstract policy issue: nearly one in three women and girls worldwide will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime,” Duris noted. “This is a global challenge that demands action from communities, national governments, and the international community alike. The counseling room we open today is a tangible outcome of our shared work to ensure survivors receive the support, protection, and dignity they are entitled to. Today, we celebrate not just the completion of a project, but the cross-sector partnerships we have built, the local capacity we have strengthened, and the growing global commitment to ending this crisis.”

    Over its two-year implementation period, the STOP Gender-Based Violence Project has delivered far more than infrastructure upgrades. The initiative has supported large-scale public education campaigns including the “Know Your Rights” outreach, provided specialized training for frontline service providers, extended core funding and operational support to local civil society organizations, and invested in community-led initiatives designed to protect women, girls, and other marginalized groups at higher risk of gender-based harm.

  • Farmers trained in advanced guava grafting under Taiwan-backed project

    Farmers trained in advanced guava grafting under Taiwan-backed project

    A Taiwan-supported hands-on training workshop focused on advanced guava grafting has equipped local farmers in Saint Lucia with upgraded agricultural skills, in a push to ramp up domestic fruit output and cut the Caribbean nation’s heavy reliance on imported food products.

    This capacity-building event falls under the umbrella of the Seven Crops Project, a national agricultural development initiative with a core goal of shrinking Saint Lucia’s national food import expenditure. It pursues this target by bolstering local agricultural output and introducing high-potential commercial crop varieties to the island’s farming sector.

    The project launched its first phase with an initial focus on seven priority staple crops: watermelon, lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, pineapple, honeydew, cantaloupe and bell pepper. As the initiative moves into its second phase, it has expanded its scope to deepen agricultural diversification across the country, working to expand the range of fresh, locally grown produce available to both everyday consumers and bulk commercial purchasers.

    The recent guava grafting workshop introduced participating farmers to a new table-grade guava variety imported from Taiwan. Unlike traditional local guava strains, which are mostly suited for industrial processing, this new cultivar boasts a significantly longer shelf life and stronger market attractiveness for direct retail sale.

    Adeline Eudovic, coordinator of the Seven Crops Project, explained that the shift to this new guava variety came from direct feedback from major local buyers. “From our different discussions with the buyers, such as the hotels, the different supermarket chains and so on in Saint Lucia, we saw the need to improve the variety of crops offered at the supermarkets. So we’re looking at a different type of guava…. This is not a processing guava, this is a guava that is perfect for eating. It’s a guava, from what we have seen so far – because we’ve had it on the farm in an experimental way – that can have a longer shelf life,” Eudovic said.

    Beyond introducing the new cultivar, the workshop delivered immersive, practical training on specialized grafting techniques. These methods are engineered to boost overall fruit quality, lift annual crop yields, and enhance the trees’ natural resistance to common pests and diseases. Project organizers noted that the grafting skills farmers learned are not limited to guava — they can also be adapted to other local tree-grown fruits, including mangoes and other similar tropical varieties.

    Local agricultural officials emphasized that this workshop and the broader Seven Crops Project are key components of Saint Lucia’s long-term strategy to strengthen national agricultural resilience. By building technical expertise among smallholder and commercial farmers, expanding production diversity, and increasing the share of domestic food in local markets, the initiative ultimately aims to shore up the island nation’s food security.

  • Local women’s cricket to recommence this weekend

    Local women’s cricket to recommence this weekend

    After five years without organized domestic competitive play, women’s cricket is making a long-awaited comeback in Saint Lucia, with a newly launched Women’s T20 Tournament set to give emerging young talent their first taste of high-stakes competitive action since 2021. This revival opens new doors for the next generation of Saint Lucian cricket stars, who have the potential to follow in the footsteps of celebrated local players including Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Verena Felicien and Eugena Gregg.

    The Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) formally announced the tournament’s launch this week, outlining a 10-week competition schedule running from June 20 to August 1. Four competing teams will clash across five match days, with fixtures hosted at three of the island’s leading cricket venues: La Fargue Playing Field, Balata Playing Field and Mindoo Phillip Park. Defending past tournament champions Gros Islet will not field a side for this edition, but the remaining rosters feature a mix of experienced international and regional players and promising up-and-coming talent. West Indies international middle-order batter Nerissa Crafton will take up captaincy for the South Castries Lionesses, while current Saint Lucia national team vice-captain Namiah Marcellin will lead the SLNCA Development XI. Former Windward Islands batter Roylin Cooper will bring her experience to strengthen Choiseul’s squad, and ex-national player Leona Emmanuel will represent Laborie.

    In an official statement from the association, SLNCA framed the relaunch of the women’s domestic tournament as a defining milestone for the ongoing expansion and development of women’s cricket across the island. The project to revive the competition has been spearheaded by Eugena Gregg, SLNCA third vice president, Cricket Hall of Fame inductee and former West Indies women’s national captain. For Gregg, the return of regular competitive women’s cricket represents a landmark achievement for the local community.

    Speaking on the tournament lineup, Gregg noted the revitalization of the Laborie women’s program, alongside the consistent strength of Choiseul’s long-standing program, the addition of the new South Castries Lionesses franchise, and the introduction of the dedicated SLNCA Development XI, which was created specifically to nurture emerging youth talent. The tournament forms a core pillar of SLNCA’s broader strategic plan to elevate women’s cricket across Saint Lucia, building clear development pathways that allow talented local players to progress to national, regional and eventually international representative teams.

    Gregg emphasized that the competition will serve as a critical platform for three core priorities: nurturing existing player talent, identifying new promising prospects from across the island, and encouraging more women and girls to take up the sport. She extended gratitude to all stakeholders who made the tournament possible, including competing players, team management staff, match officials, community volunteers, and members of the SLNCA Women’s Cricket Development Committee.

    A brief opening ceremony will kick off the tournament at La Fargue Playing Field on Saturday, June 20. The opening match will get underway at 2 p.m. local time between Choiseul and Laborie, with a second opening-day fixture scheduled between the SLNCA Development XI and South Castries Lionesses.

  • Louisy re-elected SLHTA president, pledges stronger focus on tourism growth

    Louisy re-elected SLHTA president, pledges stronger focus on tourism growth

    The Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA) has confirmed that Erwin Louisy, Managing Director of destination management company Barefoot Holidays DMC, has won an uncontested second term as the organization’s president, set to serve through 2028. The announcement was made during the association’s 62nd Annual General Meeting, which convened Wednesday at Saint Lucia’s Harbor Club, where vice presidential candidate Karolin Troubetzkoy, representing the Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain resorts, was also re-elected without opposition.

    In remarks following her confirmation, Louisy opened by expressing heartfelt gratitude to members of the association, the sitting Board of Directors, industry allies and public sector partners for the continued trust placed in her leadership. Recounting her early career crossroads, she shared that she ultimately chose tourism over paths in arts and fashion, a decision she has never regretted.

    Louisy laid out a clear policy agenda for her new term, centered on strengthening SLHTA’s internal operations, elevating the quality of services delivered to member businesses, and securing the organization’s long-term financial and institutional sustainability. Key priorities under her leadership will include identifying and developing new streams of revenue for the association, conducting a comprehensive review of the current membership structure, and expanding the tangible value that membership delivers to stakeholders across Saint Lucia’s tourism sector.

    Beyond internal reforms, Louisy emphasized that SLHTA will remain a leading advocacy voice for the Caribbean nation’s tourism private sector. The association will push for deeper cross-sector collaboration between private and public stakeholders, stronger interconnected economic linkages across the tourism ecosystem, and elevated industry-wide service standards. It will also advocate for policy frameworks that boost the sector’s global competitiveness, covering critical areas from expanded international airlift access and accelerated renewable energy adoption to targeted destination marketing, streamlined business regulations and enhanced public safety.

    Institutional upgrades to key tourism-aligned public and private entities will also feature on SLHTA’s agenda, Louisy confirmed, including improvements to the Saint Lucia Hyperbaric Chamber and the Tourism Enhancement Fund. “The year ahead will require intentional focus, coordinated collaboration and decisive action to move our sector forward,” Louisy told attendees. “SLHTA must stay rooted as a platform for collective progress and a catalyst for inclusive growth, working to ensure that tourism expansion delivers tangible benefits to our members, local communities and Saint Lucia’s entire national economy.”

    This year’s AGM carried the overarching theme “Powering the Growth of Tourism – Utilities: Essential for Saint Lucia’s Future”, hosted by presenting sponsor Liberty Business with additional support from gold sponsor Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) and bronze sponsor the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA). The gathering brought together a cross-section of tourism industry stakeholders, senior government representatives and private sector partners to deliberate on the most pressing barriers to sustained growth and competitiveness for Saint Lucia’s core economic sector.

    deliberations centered on high-priority infrastructure and utility needs, from long-term water security and resilient energy systems to reliable telecommunications coverage, industry-wide advocacy priorities and broader infrastructure upgrades. Attendees universally emphasized the critical need to build robust, modern systems across these areas to support the pipeline of anticipated tourism development and expansion projects across the island.

  • Digicel introduces new Digi-Duo mobile and fibre bundle

    Digicel introduces new Digi-Duo mobile and fibre bundle

    Digicel St. Lucia has launched an innovative new convergence package called Digi-Duo, merging mobile connectivity and home fibre internet into a single, cost-effective offering built for the needs of contemporary families.

    Crafted to address the growing demand for reliable connectivity both at home and while out and about, the new bundle promises faster speeds, greater overall value, and a more seamless user experience than managing separate mobile and fixed-line services from different providers.

    Pricing for the entry-level Digi-Duo plan starts at just $191 per month. For this monthly rate, new customers receive 20GB of mobile data and a 350 Mbps home fibre connection, all consolidated onto one bill for added convenience. The company has also structured attractive perks for existing subscribers: current Digicel+ customers can add mobile service to their existing home internet plan for only $55 extra per month, unlocking enhanced savings. Additionally, users can extend the full benefits of the bundle to a second household member for just $50 more monthly, making it simple for the whole family to access high-quality connectivity without breaking the bank.

    This new bundle builds on Digicel’s ongoing pledge to expand access to faster, more affordable internet. The 350 Mbps entry-level home fibre speed, first rolled out across the provider’s network in 2025, is now a standard feature of all base-tier Digi-Duo plans. Backed by Digicel’s upgraded national network, the combined service supports a wide range of modern connected activities, from high-definition streaming across multiple devices to uninterrupted video calls with family and friends.

    Joel Wallace, CEO of Digicel St. Lucia, shared his perspective on the launch in an official statement. “Our focus is simple: to give customers more speed, more value, and more reasons to choose Digicel,” Wallace said. “From our new Digi-Duo bundle, which brings together the best of mobile and home fibre connectivity, to our enhanced entry-level fibre speeds, we are committed to delivering smarter, better connectivity experiences that power everyday life. Our ongoing investments in the network and offerings ensure that customers truly feel the difference in performance and value.”

    Wallace, who was appointed Regional CEO for Digicel’s operations across Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada and Dominica earlier in 2025, brings decades of industry experience to the role. He has continued to lead customer-focused product innovation and network quality improvements across the company’s mobile, residential fibre, and business service lines.

    Digicel maintains its long-term commitment to expanding and upgrading digital infrastructure across the Caribbean, with a focus on rolling out customer-centric solutions that foster meaningful real-world connections. Interested customers can sign up for the new Digi-Duo bundle either in-person at any Digicel retail location or online via the company’s official St. Lucia website at https://www.digicelgroup.com/lc.

  • Strength & Conditioning Centre named after ‘Twa Ti Né’

    Strength & Conditioning Centre named after ‘Twa Ti Né’

    On a meaningful Thursday ceremony in Saint Lucia, one of the nation’s most beloved and impactful sports figures, Cuthbert “Twa Ti Né” Modeste, received a permanent honor that cements his decades-long contributions to athletics and youth development: a new state-of-the-art strength and conditioning centre at Mindoo Philip Park now bears his name.

    Modeste, a former athlete turned iconic coach and mentor, has spent the bulk of his life nurturing local sporting talent across the island. Through his leadership of the Survivors Track Club, he has shaped the careers of dozens of competitive athletes, including two of Saint Lucia’s most decorated Olympians: Julien Alfred, the nation’s first and only two-time Olympic medalist, and high jumper Jeanelle Scheper. For generations of young aspiring athletes, Modeste has been far more than a coach—he has been a steady guide, advocate, and source of inspiration.

    The new facility marks a major milestone for Saint Lucia’s investment in high-performance sport. Mindoo Philip Park, a bustling multi-purpose venue that hosts training and competition for cricket, football, and track and field, will now offer local and national athletes a dedicated space to build strength and refine their skills. All gym equipment for the centre was donated by the government of Taiwan, making the project a collaborative effort to elevate local sport. This opening follows the recent launch of a similar strength facility at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, with a third location already planned for Philip Marcellin Grounds in Vieux Fort in the coming months to support athlete development across the southern region of the island. Two full-time trainers have already been hired to oversee operations at the Mindoo Philip Park centre.

    Julien Alfred, who first joined Modeste’s program at just 9 years old, was in attendance at the ceremony and shared an emotional tribute to the coach who changed the course of her career. She recalled critical moments when she considered stepping away from athletics entirely, crediting Modeste’s unwavering support for keeping her connected to the sport she loves. “I’m just really happy that Twa Ti Né is getting his flowers while he’s still here,” Alfred said. “Just seeing how much he has poured into the youth and the future generation of Saint Lucia. I came here at the age of nine, and he’s been with me throughout every single journey of my career. Even when I wanted to give up in my career, he’s been there through every single moment. At my early age, getting global medals for Saint Lucia, he’s been there.”

    Senior government leaders joined in the celebration, highlighting both the practical and symbolic importance of the naming. Kenson Casimir, Minister for Education, Youth Development and Sports, described the opening as “both a physical investment in our athletes and a symbolic recognition of the values that Mr Cuthbert Modeste has embodied throughout his life.” Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, who also serves as MP for Castries East, called Modeste an unsung hero of Saint Lucian sport, noting his quiet, consistent impact over decades. “Twa Ti Né is an unsung hero. He did a lot of work quietly, working with athletes, and he had the tenacity and the patience to allow people to develop,” Pierre said.

    In a brief, humble address to attendees, Modeste expressed gratitude for the honor. “I would like to thank all those who acknowledge my objective of making little things happen. Once again, I thank everybody, and thank God. Thank you very much,” he said.

    Christopher Duncan, a former athlete of Modeste’s and long-time associate at the Survivors Track Club, summed up the significance of the moment: “It is often said that a prophet is not honoured in his own land; today we proved otherwise.”

  • Tourism growth should not outpace utility planning, NURC chief warns

    Tourism growth should not outpace utility planning, NURC chief warns

    At the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association’s annual general meeting held on Wednesday, June 17, Skeeta Gibbs, Chief Executive Officer of the National Utilities Regulatory Commission (NURC), delivered a critical address calling for a fundamental shift in how the Caribbean island approaches tourism growth. Gibbs issued a clear warning that utility networks cannot be treated as an afterthought in tourism expansion, arguing that robust infrastructure must be embedded at the core of all future development planning.