If there is one thing that all St. Lucians can agree on is that we have done well as it relates to honouring those we thought made valuable contributions to the development of our nation.
This is not unique to St. Lucia as many other regional countries honour their “greats’ in much the same way, but it is noteworthy maybe because it is believed that we have a knack for sometimes making a mess of that which looks easy.
As far as the naming of facilities is concerned, The Phillip Marcellin Grounds {PMG} in Vieux Fort is the first entity that comes to mind when you think about the southern part of the island, outshining The George Odlum Stadium which has not seen the light of a sporting day for 16 years. In Casrties, The Mindoo Phillip Park stands resolute while the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Beausejour has been called the pride of cricketing facilities in the region. Only just two weeks ago, The Gros Islet Playing Field was renamed The Francis “Baba” Lastic Ground while others like the Soufriere Mini Stadium are “begging” for a rebirth. St. Lucia’s lone Olympic Gold Medalist Julien Alfred, whose name is still not up in appropriate lights, had a portion of the millennium highway named after her.
Then there are the structures and fixtures like The John Compton Highway coupled with his statue erected in Constitution Park, The Allan Bousquet Highway, The Julian R. Hunte Highway, George F. L. Charles Airport, The Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, Derek Walcott Square The Heraldine Rock Building on the Castries waterfront, just to name a few.
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There are many other facilities all over the island that still remain “generically named.” The question that comes to mind now is whether we presently have individuals worthy of that honour, individuals who have contributed immensely to the development of our country.
Some of the individuals mentioned above featured in local politics, in Economics and Literature and in the case of Sir Derek Walcott and Sir Arthur Lewis, their work resonated on the world stage.
Who among our present crop of politicians can or will be gifted that honour.
It must be noted that Former Prime Minister and current Parliamentary Representative of Vieux Fort South, former law lecturer at the University of the West Indies, Dr. Kenny D. Anthony, on the occasion of announcing his retirement from active politics earlier this year, made it abundantly clear that he wanted no recognition of that nature.
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Again, who are those that have contributed extensively to St. Lucia and are worthy of such recognition and honour, whether in politics, sports of the arts.
There is every confidence that sport will provide the next big names that will be befitting of the recognition of which we speak as rising stars are perched on the horizon awaiting their opportunity to shine.
