CASTRIES, St Lucia – Sports journalist Robertson Henry of St Lucia, who is the co-owner of sportcaraibe.net, a Caribbean sports website, has been banned by the Ministry of Sports from any involvement with local sporting events and athletes.
In an email, copied to almost 50 other individuals, including media and Ministry of Sports personnel, Director of Youth and Sports Victor Reid attempted to impose a number of bans upon the multiple-award-winning journalist.
The email followed an altercation between Henry and Anthony Debeauville of the Voice newspaper that saw Debeauville being floored by Henry.
The incident, which took place at the George Odlum Stadium during the opening day of the 2010 Windward Islands School Games, is alleged to have been the result of insulting or threatening language levelled at Henry by Debeauville.
Reid, in his email to Henry, said: “It is with deep regret that I hereby inform you that the Ministry of Social Transformation, Youth and Sports wishes to terminate any ties that we have with you and sportcaribe with immediate effect.
“Your actions at the George Odlum Stadium on Sunday, July 25, 2010, during the 2010 Windward Islands Official Opening Ceremony And Athletics Championship cannot be condoned, and necessitates the termination of your services and collaborations in all forms with and to us.”
Reid added: “That you are with immediate effect banned from the Windward Islands Championship venues and village;
“That you shall not engage any of the players of these games to interview or hold any discussion on any matter;
“That you are not to visit the offices of the Department of Youth and Sports at any time;
“That you are to . . . desist from the publication of all articles pertaining to the Windward Islands Championship in the print, television or internet medium, (if you do not desist we shall be forced to publicly denounce your reports and or comments) . . . .”
An official of the Ministry of Youth and Sports said that pressure was placed on the director to take action, but that he clearly went overboard.
Henry has sought legal advice on the issue. (Caribbean News Now)
