CASTRIES, ST LUCIA, May 27,
2026 – Alfred Emmanuel has delivered a blunt assessment of the role being
played by CARICOM in the development of Caribbean sport, accusing the regional
body of failing athletes and sporting organisations on one of the region’s most
persistent issues - inter-island travel.
Speaking during Saturday’s
edition of the TalkSports programme, the President of the St Lucia Olympic
Committee (SLOC) Inc. expressed frustration over the longstanding
transportation difficulties that continue to affect regional competitions,
athlete movement, and sports development across the Caribbean.
Travel within the Caribbean has
for years been regarded as one of the major obstacles facing sporting
organisations, with athletes, teams, and federations frequently forced to
navigate expensive airfares, limited flight options, complicated transit routes,
and inconsistent regional transportation systems.
Asked whether CARICOM and
regional sporting federations could work together more effectively to improve
travel throughout the region, Emmanuel did not hide his disappointment.
“Well, CARICOM… I’ve had my
battles with CARICOM,” he said.
“And I would be foolish not to
make public what I would have told the CARICOM persons in private.”
The veteran sports administrator
then delivered his strongest criticism of the interview.
“CARICOM has failed us - and
failed us miserably - when it comes to sport and sport development,” Emmanuel
declared.
His remarks are likely to
resonate with many sporting stakeholders throughout the region who have
repeatedly voiced concerns about the impact poor transportation links continue
to have on Caribbean sport.
For decades, regional
administrators have argued that high travel costs and limited connectivity
undermine efforts to organise sustainable youth competitions, leagues,
championships, and athlete exchange programmes among Caribbean territories.
Emmanuel suggested that solving
the issue ultimately requires greater political commitment and a stronger
appreciation for sport at the policy-making level.
“I think it has to do with the
mindset of politicians,” he stated.
The SLOC President expressed
particular disappointment that even former athletes who transition into
political leadership positions often appear reluctant to publicly champion
sports development issues once in government.
“At times you sit and wonder - wasn’t this guy a national athlete in this sport or that sport?” Emmanuel
asked.
“Wasn’t this young lady an
athlete in this sport or that sport?”
Yet, according to Emmanuel, many
of those same individuals become noticeably silent on sports matters after
entering politics.
“Now that they’re in a position
to really drive the process, they’re somewhat lost within the whole process,”
he argued.
“You’re not hearing the voices.
You’re not seeing the public pronouncements as to what they believe should be
done.”
The veteran administrator said he
remains uncertain why sport often appears to lose priority status once
individuals assume political office.
“To me, once you’ve entered the
classroom of the politician, I think then sport is really not on the front
burner,” Emmanuel remarked.
His comments come amid continuing
calls across the Caribbean for improved regional transportation systems,
greater government collaboration, and stronger policy support for sport as both
a developmental and economic sector.
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