TOKYO, Japan, September 19, 2025 — As Grenada’s athletes continue their campaign at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, the country’s most decorated coach, Paul Phillip, is renewing his call for increased investment in technical disciplines, stressing that sustained success requires greater financial commitment.
Phillip, mentor of two-time Javelin World Champion and Tokyo 2025 silver medallist Anderson Peters, explained that athletes in technical events such as the javelin, shot put, and decathlon face significantly higher costs than those in track races.
“The expenses, as I explained earlier, are more for those technical events,” Phillip said in an interview with GrenadaSports in Tokyo. “A decathlete has ten events that he must provide equipment for and spend more time preparing, yet there are fewer funds being allocated because of the event’s popularity.”
He emphasised that without adequate support, Grenada’s ability to consistently compete among the world’s best could be undermined.
“That is why I am explaining that those athletes need more support to continue in the events and meet our mission,” Phillip noted. “I hope that sheds some light on the importance of financial support for those athletes.”
Grenada’s campaign in Tokyo highlights both the promise and the challenges of competing at the highest level. Alongside Peters’ silver medal in the javelin, attention now turns to Kelsie Murrell-Ross, who takes on the Women’s Shot Put on Saturday, and Lindon Victor, who begins his gruelling Men’s Decathlon on Saturday and Sunday. Both events represent technical disciplines where the costs of preparation, training, and equipment are considerable.
Earlier this week, Grenada’s most celebrated athlete, Sir Kirani James, made his seventh appearance at a World Championships when he competed in the Men’s 400 metres. Despite a valiant effort, the 2012 Olympic champion did not advance to the final. His participation, however, demonstrated Grenada’s enduring presence on the global stage of athletics.
Phillip pointed to these examples as proof that Grenada continues to produce talent across multiple disciplines, but warned that the athletes’ futures depend heavily on sustainable investment.
“Grenada has the talent,” Phillip concluded. “What we need now is the commitment to support those athletes so they can keep bringing pride to the nation.”
Coach Phillip will share more insights as a special guest on the TalkSports programme this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. ET.
PHOTO CREDITS: Haron Forteau Media
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