MARIGOT—Association Sportif de Marigot’s (ASM) gifted young cyclist Kenny Carty leaves for France on Wednesday to pursue his education and equally important to develop his cycling and racing career there, joining a club with a view to turning professional.
The Collectivité held a press conference Thursday to give details of the move to France. Carty (16) goes to Toulouse where he will continue his studies for the Bac Pro at the Joseph Gallieni high school, while at the same time following a training course within a specialised club for higher level riders.
Next year he will be moving up to the Junior level in cycling. It was understood he will be staying with a family and training and competing at weekends and on holidays.
Eric Hélan, Carty’s mechanics teacher, was instrumental in finding the connections and contacts for the talented young rider to continue his education and passion for cycling.
The Collectivité supports young people with strong potential in sport through its territorial plan for the development of sport in St. Martin during the period 2018-2028. With St. Martin going through a difficult period, occasionally there are great achievements and positive news and this is one example.
Hélan explained how he found the opportunity for Carty in France before additional congratulatory remarks were made by Territorial Councillor Jean-Raymond Benjamin and Treasurer of the Territorial Cycling Committee of St. Martin (TCCSM), Rémy Williams. Kenny and his father and coach Keith also spoke, both thanking the Collectivité for the financial help.
“Kenny going to France is just a first phase of the committee’s involvement as we plan to sign a convention with the club in Toulouse to make the opportunity available for other up and coming cyclists from St. Martin,” disclosed Williams.
“We are very much hoping Kenny will lead the way for the cyclists coming after him and we wish him much success,” added Benjamin.
On October 14, the Executive Council voted to support Carty’s dream with financial aid of 5,500 euros. The overall budget for his project amounts to 5,880 euros for the current school year and the Collectivité decided to finance almost all of his request. Thanks to these funds, Kenny will be able to pay his accommodation, food and transport costs for the current school year.
President Gibbs and First Vice-President Damaseau have also praised Kenny’s motivation and ambition and wished him much success. The Collectivité’s sports department will be following Kenny’s progress.
