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“During Dexter [St Louis’] lifetime, the [Trinidad and Tobago Table Tennis Association] did very little to acknowledge the professionalism, dedication and love Dexter had for the sport and Trinidad and Tobago.
“[…] For the avoidance of any doubt, Mrs [Jeromaine] St Louis would like to officially state that she did not authorise, approve or endorse any memorial for her husband, including the one said to have taken place on the same day as his funeral.”
The following press statement was released by Jeromaine St Louis, wife of late iconic table tennis player Dexter St Louis, via the family’s attorney, Matthew Gayle:
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
Mrs [Jeromaine] St Louis notes with concern the memorial and/or tributes which have taken place with the involvement and/or cooperation of the TTTTA.
During Dexter’s lifetime, the TTTTA did very little to acknowledge the professionalism, dedication and love Dexter had for the sport and Trinidad and Tobago. In fact, the claim against the TTTTA by Dexter, and our daughter Rheann Chung, continues to trial this November in accordance with Dexter’s wishes.
For the avoidance of any doubt, Mrs St Louis would like to officially state that she did not authorise, approve or endorse any memorial for her husband, including the one said to have taken place on the same day as his funeral. She would also like to clearly state that she does not want any indulgences or ‘honours’ from the TTTTA nor any body concerning table tennis in Trinidad and Tobago.
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Thanks Wired868 for reporting on Dexter. I always felt that he was respected and admired by this site for his enormous athletic ability and his ability to stand up for injustice. So sad he died so young. Condolences to his family and friends.
I’m surprised that people are still saying on this thread that the public deserves to know his cause of death. The family doesn’t owe the public a single thing to satisfy the curiosity of your salaciousness. This man’s love for his country Through was unrequited, as is the case with many of our athletes, and in honoring his death and under the legal circumstances that were shrouded in controversy, the LEAST the TTFA could have done was communicate with his family on their intent to hold a memorial in his honor. That is just basic professional courtesy, and while some here may think that was a “petty” move from his wife, it did exactly what it needed to do – to remind us of the sacrifices that he endured in life. Who feels it, knows it yes.
As the only person on the thread to use any iteration of the word “petty,”I will respond by saying the pettiness I referred to is on both sides. A public squabble over how he was treated in life hardly honors his memory in death.
Nigel S. Scott I didn’t interpret this communique to be a public squabble. She made a public statement because she was uncomfortable with the narrative that was being shaped by an organization to which her husband was at odds for much of his career, and she is well within her right to make her family’s position clear.
Tenille Clarke of course she is, I said it in my first comment. The two statements are hardly inapposite, she could have pointed out the irony of them honoring him in death while ‘disrespecting’ him in life (if that’s how she saw it), and yet not take it down an adversarial path by framing it a different way. But I’m not here to criticize her, merely to state that all of this could and should have been handled differently.
Nigel S. Scott I understand that she could have exercised other options, but I don’t think this was an adversarial one. I cannot imagine what her family has been through. But we can agree to disagree, I respect your position fully ??
The TTTTA could probably have shown some good will by settling the outstanding court matter instead
In T&T we dont appreciate our athletes admin wants to do as they want the man believe in Principal!!
If those are the family’s wishes, we should respect them. The relationship between the board and Dexter was fractious up to his untimely demise, so the TTTTA was a bit hypocritical in their efforts to give him a ‘big up’ post mortem. Trying to whitewash the situation as if they were no litigation-bound adversaries would surely draw a rebuke from the family.
Damian R. Scott agreed. TTTTA was playing smart here.
TTTTA.. no shame.
Nicholas Jackman boy! Openly scorned the man in life and then want to act all chummy after his passing… Classless behaviour that a simple bit of sincere communication could have prevented.
Damian R. Scott sounds like TT
Kyon Esdelle this was a situation for certain people to be better than their regular selves. Instead, they chose to remain true to form. Sigh.
Well when a national hero dies in a foreign land the public deserves to know the cause of death.
Bird, Are we missing something ? A great career,an extensive resume and long legacy an yet there is uneasiness of Dexter’s name being mentioned by well wishers , fans and competitors of all forms. I personally have viewed athletes of all genres that have not gained aclimation or adorned with rubies.Accomplished players of developing countries would normally come back to their origins and develop youth programmes or make an impact on local authorities to encourage positive change into the future. Why does it seem that there were tensions that were left unresolved and a bitter feeling to Dexter’s unexpected departure? He was a legend at the sport/craft and his legacy should be about his unprecedented contributions to the sport on and off the field. The thoughts should be when would we see another Dexter St. Louis again, rather than keeping a fire blazing that is no More……. Table Tennis is vibrant but it’s dying ….. just as football in this country. It takes a shinning star to attract believers, dreamers and the executioners of plan.
I hope we are all the vehicles for change in sport rather than conduits for mishief.
Darron I would like to see the feud end myself. I’m not sure if the TTTTA spoke to the family before recognizing Dexter.
If not, they should have. If they did, then I hope all sides can continue dialogue.
Ideally, I’d like Dexter be recognized by the local body for table tennis.
As his surviving spouse this is her right, but all of this pettiness is unnecessary.
Nigel S. Scott the 2 parties litigation was a serious issue.
So I fail to see how her standing up for her husband’s position, in death, can be deemed unnecessary & petty.
Dawn is that what she’s doing, “standing up for her husband’s position?” Was the TTTA’s memorial service an attack on his position? Had the organization NOT recognized him in some way, then one could imagine the uproar from certain quarters.
Agreed…
Dexter’s hand reaches out to clapback even in death…..
Was there ever any doubt that he was a #ShadeGod?