“Ready!! Set!! Go!!” Saint Lucia Prepares To Host 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games By Lawrence S. James THE staging of road shows to create awareness and to sensitize the public about the hosting of the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2017 (CYG 2017) by Saint Lucia, dubbed “Ready!! Set!! Go!!” continued on Friday, September 20, 2013, with visits to the Odsan and Ciceron Combined Schools. In fact, the shows recommenced on Friday, September 14, 2013, with visits to the Anse La Raye Primary School and the Roseau Combined School. Staff from the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, along with two-time Olympian Levern Spencer spoke to the students about the importance of taking part in sports along with the socio-economic opportunities which it affords to athletes and persons associated with sports. The team also focused heavily on CYG, encouraging students to get involved in sports seriously in order to represent their country and provide opportunities for themselves. Parents and students are being encouraged to get involved in the campaign as the Ministry believes that the Games will provide significant opportunities for students and Saint Lucians. Saint Lucia was awarded the right to host the sixth Commonwealth Youth Games in 2017 at the 2011 Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) General Assembly held in Saint Kitts. The island started its preparation towards hosting the Games in May last year when the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee (SLOC) and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), with the support from Commonwealth Games Canada held a series of workshops with National Sports Federation and the wider community to sensitize them on the requirements for hosting CYG 2017. In July, this year, the Saint Lucia Cabinet officially appointed an eight member Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2017 CYG. Headed by former president of the SLOC, Richard Peterkin, the Committee has been given the audios task of overseeing that all is in place for the successful hosting of the Games. The Committee also comprises: Sean Matthew – Games Director, Director of Youth & Sports Victor Reid – Assistant Games Director and Chief Sports Co-ordinator, Joanne Cooper – Finance Director, McNaughton McLean – Media Co-ordinator, Jamie Peterkin – Games Co-ordinator, Robert Fevrier – Sponsorship Co-ordinator, and Fortuna Belrose – CGF Regional Vice President. At the commissioning meeting, Minister for Youth Development and Sports Shawn Edward shared the expectations of the Government of Saint Lucia in hosting a world class event, encouraging the members to pursue excellence as they carry out their duty to their country. At the meeting also, every member was given their terms of reference and pledged their commitment to Saint Lucia’s hosting of a successful Commonwealth Youth Games in 2017. The competition is a small-scale version of the Commonwealth Games and is designed for the youth of the 71 Commonwealth countries for athletes aged between 14 and 18 years old. The Games are expected to be held from July 29 to August 2, 2017, and will include six to 10 sporting disciplines, including athletics and swimming, which are compulsory. Over 1,000 athletes and officials from the Commonwealth countries are expected to participate in the Games. The event will include opening and closing ceremonies, in addition to a cultural day where locals and visitors will experience activities that are indigenous to Saint Lucia. High Jumper Jeannelle Scheper won a silver medal at the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games – the only Saint Lucian athlete to ever medal at any of those Games.
Posted on: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 19:57:08 +0000