Published 26 March, 2021
Basseterre
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
Source: LOOP NEWS
The government has expressed disappointment with the decision to withdraw Saint Lucia’s national team from participating in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
News that the Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) took the decision to not participate in the qualifies shocked players of the national football team, who protested Wednesday outside the association’s headquarters in La Clery, demanding answers from the executive.
On Thursday, the Government of Saint Lucia responded to the news, expressing disappointment.
According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, the association took the decision without first consulting with the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports.
The SLFA is an independent organisation that governs football within Saint Lucia.
“The Government of Saint Lucia through its Sports Infrastructure Programme made it a priority to upgrade the Soufriere Mini Stadium to host World Cup qualifiers and the Government of Saint Lucia is clear and unambiguous in its commitment to upgrade facilities for this particular objective,” said the statement.
The statement added: “The Government of Saint Lucia is further concerned about reports that the ‘authorities’ turned down requests for special training permissions for a national football team.
“The government can confirm that we have no record of a request being made by the SLFA to have a team train for World Cup Qualifiers.”
According to the government, neither the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports nor the Office of the Chief Medical Officer received such a request.
Added the statement: “Despite the fact that high contact sports are not allowed under the current Covid-19 protocols due to the high risk the government has made special provisions for national athletes and this is reflected in the legislation. The Government of Saint Lucia, through the Ministry of Health, recently facilitated training for Platinum FC from Vieux Fort South who are due to travel in April for a tournament in Curacao.
“The Government will also be assisting with the vaccination of these footballers and team members. The Ministry of Health has also facilitated some netballers and other athletes who requested one-on-one training or training with strict protocols.
“Hopefully, the Football Association will engage with the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports and local footballers to resolve this matter.
“We look forward to the full clarification from the Saint Lucia Football Association as to the reasons for Saint Lucia’s withdrawal.
The Government of Saint Lucia has made significant investments in sports in Saint Lucia, including football, with the establishment of the Sports Academy and the upgrading of all our sporting facilities in order to attract regional and international tournaments.
“The Government will continue to do all it can to facilitate the advancement of our athletes and Saint Lucia as a leader in sports.
“The Government sees the participation in activities such as World Cup Qualifiers as critical to the development of sports and has done all in its power to facilitate the involvement of our athletes.”
