ORANJESTAD, St. Eustatius — The Government of St. Eustatius has welcomed professional baseball player and motivational speaker Kalian Sams to the island for his first visit, as part of the “Statia on the Map” initiative.Sams has strong family roots in St. Eustatius. Born in The Hague to parents from the island, he built an international baseball career spanning 17 years.
He represented the Kingdom Team of the Netherlands and played in several Major League Baseball organisations. His path took him around the world. This first trip to Statia is focused on reconnecting with his origins, giving back, inspiring young people, and looking at ways to strengthen sports development on the island.During the visit, Sams will meet the Executive Council to discuss the vision behind Statia on the Map and the role he could play in the island’s sports ambitions.
Youth engagement is a central part of the programme. He will speak to primary and secondary school pupils in motivational sessions under the theme “From Statia to the World,” sharing lessons from his career on discipline, resilience, education, making positive choices, and pursuing opportunity.The programme also includes talks with the St. Eustatius Sports Facilities Foundation (SSFF) and local sports clubs.
Those discussions will cover the current sports landscape, coaching and organisational development, facilities, athlete pathways, and ways to link Statian athletes with expertise and networks beyond the island.Officials say the visit is meant to go further than a round of motivational talks. It is also a chance to explore how Sams’ experience and international network could support longer-term mentorship, athlete development, coaching, exposure, and educational or sporting pathways for Statia’s youth.“Coming from a small island family background, your origin should never determine the size of a young person’s ambition,” Sams said.
“Through Statia on the Map, we want our young people to see that with discipline, support, and opportunity, their talents can take them far while they remain proud of where they come from.”
The Statia Government regards sport as an important tool for young people’s physical, social, and mental development. Existing programmes also aim to keep participation open to children regardless of their family’s financial situation.
Officials say lasting progress will depend on continued cooperation among government, schools, the SSFF, sports organisations, and other partners.Sams’ first visit is also seen as a chance to put St. Eustatius in a positive international light: celebrating a Statian success story while encouraging the next generation to write their own.
