Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has announced an additional allocation of $500 000 for sports equipment in Saint Lucia. He made this announcement following Sunday’s Prime Minister’s Independence T20 Cup final at Mindoo Philip Park, saying that he was “so impressed” with the quality of cricket on display that he felt inspired to provide further financial support to the young people of Saint Lucia. This funding is separate from the $1 million announced by the Pierre administration in February for sports equipment. When asked how the latest funds would be allocated, the prime minister stated that the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports would be responsible for the technical aspects of distribution, ensuring that those most in need receive priority. At Monday’s pre-cabinet press briefing, Minister for Youth Development and Sports, Kenson Casimir, emphasised that the financial support will focus on community development within the sports sector. “As a government, we have spent significantly on sports equipment to be placed in the communities,” he said. “And so the idea is to bring in football boots, bats, helmets, gloves, volleyballs, and basketballs to ensure that the young people in the communities—and again, I focus on in the communities that cannot afford those gear—can get it through the parliamentary reps, through the associations in the individual communities, to really get that level of support for the less fortunate.” These proposals come just ahead of the Budget presentation which is expected later this month.