PM Douglas hails performance of ‘Sugar Boys’ in Canada matchup

Photos by Erasmus Williams

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, NOVEMBER 12TH 2011 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas is giving his local ‘Sugar Boys’ the edge in what he has described as “a splendid display of football skill at the very highest level” in Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Canada at the Football Stadium in Basseterre.

Prime Minister Douglas, who along with St. Kitts and Nevis Minister of Sports, Hon. Glen Phillip and St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association President, Mr. Johnson greeted the Canadian and local teams at the start of the match, also applauded the outpouring of support from the local community.

He said both teams displayed a tremendously competitive spirit that was pursued throughout the entire game.

“But if I was to be fair and I specifically say not to be biased, I would want to give the St. Kitts and Nevis Team, the edge. This is because, they came up against a highly recognised Team Canada. The Canadian team I am told is ranked number three in the line-up of teams in this competition and for us here in St. Kitts and Nevis to have held them at least in the first half with more opportunities to score than Canada had, I think we should tip our hats to our own Team St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Dr. Douglas in what he regarded as an unbiased comment.

Prime Minister Douglas said the second half of the scoreless match was equally competitive but felt a bit disappointed “because from the points that we entered into this match with, we were behind Canada and I really hoped that we would have scored and surpassed them so that when we go to Canada next week, we would have had the chance of advancing beyond Canada.”

“Nevertheless, I want to congratulate our ‘Sugar Boys’ for a splendid display of football skills at the very highest level. But more than that. I think that the spirit of competition has been encouraged mainly by the tremendous outpouring of support that came from the community. Every single stand was filled to the capacity and there was standing room only, apart from the large number of patrons who could not get in,” said Prime Minister Douglas in a late night interview with his communications unit.

Prime Minister Douglas disclosed he had privately disclosed to the local football administrators and management that if they had won this match, the government would have spearheaded a special charter to take Kittitians and Nevisians to Canada for the away game.

“Of course that has not happened but I am urging all our fellow Kittitians and Nevisians living, visiting Canada to go out in their numbers and support the ‘Sugar Boys’ when they the play the away game in Canada.