St Kitts-Nevis U-17 U-15 Update

The SKNFA is pleased to announce that all of the remaining players and coaches of the U-15 and U-17 boys Teams that traveled to St. Martin are now back home and reunited with their families, with the exception of Trevon Belle, who is still hospitalized, and Coach Mr. Lenny Lake and trainer Ms Judith Isles. Both Coach Lake and Ms Isles will remain in St. Martin along with Ms Celeste Liburd, mother of Trevon who flew to St. Martin last evening Monday 20th July to be with her son. Trevon is expected to be release on Thursday morning and return the Federation sometime Thursday evening.

In the meantime, the SKNFA has already put in place a number of measures in an effort to continue to provide assistance to our youth footballers affected by this terrible incident. These measures include the following:

The SKNFA has sought second opinions from local radiologist Mr. Mark Hodge for those players who sustained injuries. The SKNFA is pleased to announce that these results are now back and they show no signs of serious or long-term injury.

The SKNFA has also been assisting those players still complaining of pain or discomfort to see to see the FA doctor; Dr. Mervin Laws.

In an effort to deal with issues relating to posttraumatic stress, the SKNFA has already contacted Ms. Sharon Haliday; local psychiatrist to conduct counseling sessions for both players and their parents. These sessions will commence as soon as everyone is back home. In this regard, the SKNFA will like to invite all players and coaches of the U-15 and U-17 teams and their parents to a very important meeting at the Football House on Lozack Road on Saturday, 25th July 2009 at 9:00 AM.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been in contact with the relevant authorities in St. Martin and has requested and investigation into the incident.

The SKNFA wishes to express its gratitude to all those persons who have assisted in any way or have shown concern to the young footballer and their coaches; special thanks goes out to Mr. Elroy Lewis and the Management of TDC Airlines Ltd and Mrs. Avenice Jeffers of LIAT for their kind assistance during this difficult time.