St. Maarten’s sports scene is poised for a significant transformation, driven by the shared passion and vision of incoming MP Dimar Labega and cricketing star Keacy Carty. The two have been in active discussions about how to uplift athletes, build infrastructure, and develop sustainable support systems for sports on the island. Together, their perspectives offer a blueprint for a brighter future in athletics for St. Maarten.
Reflecting on Carty’s historic century and international success, Labega emphasized the significance of such achievements for St. Maarten. “What Keacy has done and is continuing to do is remarkable, and I believe he has a lot more to show the world,” he said. “Without a proper facility and consistent organized play to keep improving, this is quite an accomplishment. St. Maarten’s sports potential is through the roof! We don’t lack athletic ability; we lack stable programs, professional coaches, and exposure to opportunities,” Labega said.
When asked if the government is doing enough to support athletes, the incoming MP from the Democratic Party offered a nuanced response. “This is a loaded question with many layers. The job of the government is to provide opportunities for sports to be played. Moving into the realm of nurturing elite programs and extraordinary talent requires a different mindset,” he said. “We do not do enough to continuously motivate our athletes abroad and push their accomplishments year-round. However, I do see a shift happening within the sports world and departments when it comes to exposure and younger, ambitious individuals taking over key positions.”
For Labega, establishing a cricket stadium is a priority. “A cricket stadium is a no-brainer. It’s an investment that will have unbelievable returns in all aspects of our society,” he said. Recognizing Carty’s success as part of a larger trend, he highlighted the broader impact. “Alongside Keacy, other cricketers are playing internationally, which shows the trickle-down effect of his success.”
Labega revealed ongoing efforts to address resource shortages and recognition gaps. “I have had positive initial conversations with the tourism bureau, the Minister of TEATT, the incoming Minister of ECYS, and others in the private sector to assist with resources and the promotion of our local athletes,” he said. “A separate entity needs to be allocated for branding our teams and athletes locally and internationally. This could open doors to scholarships, sponsorship deals, and island branding,” he added.
He has already begun discussions on how to harness Carty’s influence. “In July, I organized a meeting with Mrs. May-Ling Dery-Chun, head of the Tourism Bureau, Mr. Akeem Charles, Director of the Cricket Federation, and Keacy Carty. Keacy shared insights on how other countries treat their star athletes and how consistent support boosts their morale,” Labega explained.
He called for immediate action. “I am not one for the hype only when athletes perform well abroad. We already know that the sky is blue! It is time for action and solutions. The focus needs to be on getting St. Maarten to host events in regular rotation,” he said, citing ongoing upgrades to the Raoul Illidge Sports Complex and the need for improvements to other facilities like the Sports Auditorium and baseball fields. Sports can immediately enhance our tourist product and bring pride back to the community,” he said.
He was also critical of the current approach to recognizing sports heroes. “The perception is, the team or athlete returns home to a big welcome, and then that’s it. No follow-up,” he said. To address this, he proposed creating an athletic publication to feature local and international talent. Knowing there are opportunities to pursue education while playing the sport you love is a great motivator. I recall being featured in Teen Times in high school—it was a huge boost for me. Exposing youth to careers like athletic trainers, nutritionists, sports photographers, and more will entice them towards these fields. The beauty is, these roles are needed here on St. Maarten,” he said.
As he steps into his role as MP, Labega plans to focus on immediate actions while setting long-term goals. “The first task is to get everyone on the same page and work efficiently with what we have while long-term plans are developed,” he said. “Keacy is traveling to many countries, and St. Maarten is mentioned every step of the way. There is organic value here, but we are not capitalizing on it. Small initiatives, like live streams or shout-outs while wearing a St. Maarten hat, can make a difference as larger campaigns take shape.”
Finally, Labega was asked how he would like his role as MP to influence the legacy of sports in St. Maarten, and how he can you with athletes like Keacy to realize that vision. “This (sports) is a natural passion of mine. I began playing sports at 6 years old and had the unique opportunity to play multiple sports in St. Maarten, and in America (high school and in college). I know the discipline, training, and dedication needed to succeed on a highly competitive level. This knowledge I wish to pass on to the next generations no matter the sport. Your athletic window is very small. Usually by 16 you need to show signs of “IT” to capitalize on your ability internationally. This is why every year wasted is missed opportunities for our youth. This is my driving factor.”
Keacy Carty
As the first international cricketer to emerge from the island of St. Maarten, Keacy Carty has etched his name into the annals of the sport and is an inspiration for young athletes on the island. Keacy attributes much of his success to his upbringing and work ethic.
“The manner in which I was raised has a major part to play in me being professional in what I do,” he said. Beyond that, his commitment to training set him apart from his peers. “The volume that I put in comparison to kids my age is probably what made the minor difference in my performances and whatever consistency I had,” Keacy said.
Keacy’s pride in representing his home island was evident when he spoke about the emotional weight of scoring his first century. “Looking back on what you’ve achieved in life is always a warm feeling,” he said. “The most satisfying thing of me getting my first century is probably knowing everyone back home is proud. Knowing that what I did wasn’t all in vain and brought joy to those who helped me along the journey is what I thought about after it all settled in.”
Despite his success, Keacy remains humble and focused. “I try to be myself in whatever I do,” he shared. “I understand that whether I do good or bad, people will always have something to say. I know the work I put in, and once I’m happy with that on a personal level, the rest is history. I make it a priority to remain humble and level-headed and try to put my best foot forward at all times.”
However, Keacy did not shy away from addressing the challenges that hinder the growth of sports on the island. “What’s missing is people who actually care about sports, not just cricket,” he explained. “There’s not enough time and effort invested into sports, and as a result, many good young athletes quit because there’s no proper structure in place. By investing time and effort with athletes and boards, we as a country can find the best possible ways to help each other move forward,” he said.
As the island’s first international cricketer, Keacy understands the unique spotlight he holds. “It’s sort of unique because I’m the only one so far,” he said. However, he downplayed his individual role in elevating the island’s profile, stating, “The country is very popular and known on its own beauties. What I would say is that some sports people may just be a little more interested in what the country has to offer since it’s not a norm that international cricketers are bred here.”
Keacy hopes to be an example for young athletes, encouraging them to aim higher. “I want when they look at me, the first thing they say is ‘I can do it too,’” he expressed. “I’d much rather know they’d want to be better than me. If we do what is needed as a country, we’ll have 10–20 more athletes like me in the next generation. Being from a small island comes with its own set of challenges. Not being looked at as one who can make a difference or impact is probably one of the biggest challenges you face. You have to be strong mentally and trust the work you put in. Always have the mentality that the next person isn’t better than you are.”
Keacy believes the key to future success lies in grassroots development. “Like all the rest islands, there should be cricket in every primary school because that’s where you get your next batch of players from,” he said. He also advocates for competitive tournaments among schools to foster pride and healthy competition.
When asked about his long-term goals, Keacy emphasized the importance of making an impact both on and off the field. “My main goal is to always be impactful,” he said. “I hope to look back and say I made a change in the mentality of my people on what we can achieve from this 37-square-mile country with as little resources as we have. And to aspiring athletes If you really want it, do all the necessary things you need to do to get where you want to be. But always enjoy it, have fun while doing it.”
Source: The Peoples Tribune https://www.thepeoplestribunesxm.com
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