St. Lucia, Jamaica invite rescued Thai footballers

St. Lucia, Jamaica invite rescued Thai footballers
Chiang Rai Public Relations Department via Associated Press

St. Lucia Prime Minister Allan Chastanet and Jamaica Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett have extended an invitation to host the 12 boys from a Thailand football team and their coach, who were recently rescued from a flooded cave in the Southeast Asian country.

Bartlett made the announcement at the Hotel and Tourism Association’s 54th Annual General Meeting at the Harbor Club in Rodney Bay, Gros Islet, St. Lucia.

He said the invitations had been sent and they are awaiting a response from the Thailand authorities. Chastanet said Jamaica was taking the lead and hoped for a positive development over the next few months.

Bartlett first announced his country’s plan to extend an invitation to the Thai youths and their coach.

The 12 boys, aged 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach, had been trapped in the flooded Tham Luang Nang Non cave since June 23. Their daring rescue by international divers between July 8-10 gathered worldwide attention.