CASTRIES (St. Lucia) - The St. Lucia Basketball Federation (SLBF) President, Mr. Lesley Collymore, is steering the organization to work from base levels to ensure that the institution becomes consistent in the development of the sport.

With the support of private enterprises, the SLBF celebrated last month their first-ever summer camp for children 2 to 18, in what is the beginning of a three-year agreement between the Federation and the St. Lucia Ministry of Youth Development and Sports.

A total of 47 participants of around the island were active, including tourists that were on the island at the time. The Learning Academy of Basketball (LAB) and its technical staff complimented the Federation’s organization of the camp.

“The SLBF's responsibility is to develop and promote the sport,” said Collymore to a local news outlet. “However, we changed our program and understood that any sustainable program begins with the youth. So, our focus has been a strategic youth development.”

The SLBF also has several national leagues in which the island’s clubs participate and are currently preparing for several 3x3 competitions for the youth and for adults as well.

Collymore also highlighted that his mission is not only teaching basketball, but also foster the fundamental values for an exemplary life as upright citizens. “Aside from teaching them the sport, we believe that it's truly important to teach them values like leadership and self-confidence. The kids had a great time and had fun, but the most important thing is that they're learning about life, how to be a productive citizen for their families, for St. Lucia’s society, and for the world,” said Collymore.

The Federation’s leader insisted that the initiative will continue during the upcoming months because youth development is his institution’s priority.

“I get a lot of questions from family and sponsors asking if this is a one-time thing, and it's not!” Collymore assured. “This is something continuous and we've signed a memorandum of understanding for the next three years with the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports.”

FIBA