With St Lucia preparing to stage a prestigious competition in 2017,m the groundwork has begun to ensure stake holder groups and the general public are not only sensitized but are strategically prepared for this major undertaking.
St Lucia is hosting the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games which is a multi-sport world class event attracting roughly 1300 junior athletes and officials from 72 nations of the Commonwealth. With that in mind, the St Lucia Olympic Committee (SLOC) has organized two workshops from May 9-11 at the Bay Gardens Hotel Conference Centre. The workshops are being facilitated by Judy Kent of Commonwealth Games Canada; Vice President Commonwealth Games Federation, Bruce Robertson; with Christine De Valle providing workshop support.
The first workshop which got underway today (Wednesday) caters for National Federations, Physical Education Teachers, Ministry of Youth and Sports representatives and members from national volunteer programs.
The second workshop (May 11) will focus on members of the organizing committee, the media, government officials and representatives from the public and private sectors.
During a recent press conference at Olympic House, Barnard Hill, President of the SLOC, Richard Peterkin said: “The officials mentioned agreed to do a conference for us, which would essentially bring in all the stakeholders who are going to be important to the staging of these games. They will go through all the requirements, assist with all the planning in order to make the whole nation and stakeholders much more aware of what all the requirements are and put us in much better shape to complete the planning certainly for this year.”
Peterkin pointed out that one critical component would be highlighting the long term positive impact on St Lucia and the legacy the Games will have on the country.
“This is not just about another game in which we are sending representatives,” said the SLOC President. “This is a chance for the country on the whole to focus on kids who are right now nine to 13. The kids in that age group will be eligible to compete in the Youth Games five years from now.”
He went on to say: “It gives us that opportunity to not just think how we prepare young people for particular games but for all the other games and all the other sporting activities we are involved in.”
At the press conference, the SLOC took the opportunity to introduce Keyva Lashley who is the Capacity Support Officer for the organization. Besides being present at the workshops she will be working with the various National Sports Federations.
