South Africa Under-19’s are preparing to travel to the Caribbean, and if all goes as intended, their first stop will be at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.

But travel bans to certain countries, as well as concern about the latest coronavirus variant, have led to some uncertainty surrounding the warmup series.

Donald Dave Albert is the acting president of the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association, and he told MBC Sports that he is hopeful of positive news in the coming days.

The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Selection Panel announced the West Indies Rising Stars U19s 15-member squad and five reserves for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup to be played in the West Indies in January-February 2022.

The squad includes two Saint Lucians, including Ackeem Auguste, a left-handed middle-order batsman, wo has been named captain. 

The players were selected following the recent high performance camp and preparation matches which featured 28 players at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua and Barbuda.

The West Indies Rising Stars U19s have been drawn in Group D alongside Australia, Scotland and Sri Lanka for the 16-team tournament which will be played from January 14 to February 5. 

Matches will be played in Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, St Kitts and Nevis, and Guyana. 

MBC Sports caught up with the new West Indies U19 captain earlier today, and he says he is looking forward to the challenge ahead.

Meanwhile, planning is underway for the West Indies Under-19’s to play a five match warmup series here in Saint Lucia later this month.

Some exciting news for Saint Lucian bodybuilding.

Nisha Ploeg competed in the recent Ultimate Fitness Events, UFE World Championships, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Hosted at one of Canada’s most prestigious venues in the heart of Toronto, the event was billed as “The Grandest Stage of them All” in fitness & bodybuilding!

Ploeg, who migrated to Canada from Saint Lucia, finished third in the women’s physique category, and she says that although she is happy with her performance, she thinks she can do even better.

Ploeg has been competing in fitness and bodybuilding for several years now. 

A wife and mother, she says that she always encourages women to get into the sport, despite some of the negative and false stereotypes that some might associate with women and fitness.

Ploeg is looking forward to improving her physique in the year ahead, and hopefully continuing to represent Saint Lucia with pride.

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