St. Lucia Set To Participate In Francophone Games

Contact: John Emmanuel

Thursday, July 05, 2001 - As preparations continue for Canada’s hosting of the 4^th and largest ever Francophone Games later this month, officials of the Department of Youth and Sports have welcomed the introduction of qualifying times and standards for participation in this year’s games.

Speaking at the latest press conference leading up to the July 14 – 24 activity, on Thursday July 5, 2001, Permanent Secretary in the Department of Youth and Sports Ernest Hilaire said this move augurs well for St. Lucia athletes, who will be seeking to leave their mark on the games.

“The Games have moved beyond being an event for solidarity and friendship to a stage where it is maturing now as a sporting event and its own progression to join the list of international sporting events taking place around the world is very encouraging. The introduction of qualifying times and standards will assist the games in gaining more official recognition as a major international sporting event and will ensure that only the very best persons participate at the games,” he said.

St. Lucia, he told reporters, would field four athletes to the games in the person of Zepherinus Joseph, Nathan Justin, Nessa Paul and Jeanille Vite. The exposure provided by the Francophone Games, Hilaire noted, would greatly assist in honing the skills of local athletes in preparation for greater regional and international competition.

The games, which also include a cultural and artistic component, will group over three thousand athletes and artistes. Canadian High Commissioner, Her Excellency Sandelle Scrimshaw, explained that the games sought to foster greater exchange, cooperation and integration among participating countries in the spirit of friendly competition.

“It’s an opportunity for all of us to, first of all, showcase the member countries of La Francophone and to facilitate closer relationships between the various governments and countries who are participating in the games. We hope that through the artistic programme we can promote the originality of the Francophone culture and demonstrate that it is both homogeneous and, at the same time, diverse. I think it’s an opportunity for us to provide new impetus for sports and cultural activities in countries that have in common the use of the French language,” High Commissioner Scrimshaw said.

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