Saint Martin represented at the PSG Academy World Cup
Seven young people from Saint Martin took part in the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) Academy World Cup in Paris from 9 to 13 May. It was a sporting and personal adventure that began with a talent-spotting camp in Brittany, before continuing in the Paris region.
Twelve U11 footballers from Saint Martin, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion represented the overseas territories at the PSG Academy World Cup. Ahead of the event, the children were immersed in a high-performance environment at a training centre in Saint-Brieuc, Brittany. There, they lived like young professionals. Daily training sessions, matches, communal living and discipline set the pace for their days.
A unique experience
Out of nearly 80 players at the talent-spotting camp, twelve were selected to form the Antilles U11 team. Among them were seven from Saint Martin, a source of pride for the local PSG Academy. “Our little island has thus been put in the spotlight and shown what it is capable of when attention and resources are given to its young people,” emphasises Jocelyn Jermin, local coordinator of the PSG Academy in Saint Martin. At PSG’s headquarters, the youngsters took on academies from all over the world. They also explored the club’s facilities and got a taste of the world of professional football. “I’m really happy that all seven of us were selected,” says Gabriel Chomier Grant, an U11 player from Saint Martin, “I really enjoyed visiting the Parc des Princes.” His teammate Carter Yeung, meanwhile, highlights the team spirit. “Some of us didn’t know each other at first, but we shared some great moments. We really enjoyed playing,” says the young footballer.
For the accompanying families, the experience was just as memorable. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat,” says the grandmother of one of the players, Dvorah Yeung, “they attended training sessions, visited sports facilities, and watched professional players in action. I think that as they grow up, these are moments they’ll always remember.” A human and sporting adventure that reflects the organisation’s ambition: “In Saint Martin, the academy now has around 50 students and we work every day to develop and promote football on the island,” says Jocelyn Jermin. A first step for Saint Martin football and an opportunity to represent the island at the highest level.
