ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, April 9,
2026 - Grenada’s successful hosting of the 53rd CARIFTA Games has
positioned the country as a viable venue for future regional and even
international athletics events, according to Kwame Hypolite, Chair of the
Marketing and Public Relations Committee.
Speaking to GrenadaSports
on the final day of competition at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium, Hypolite
said the Games have laid a strong foundation for Grenada’s ambitions on the
global sporting stage.
“I think coming out of these
Games, it’s positioning ourselves as a viable option for hosting championships
at the regional level,” he said. “And possibly preparing us for, maybe in the
next 10 years, an international-level meet.”
Hypolite noted that the success
of CARIFTA 2026 was built on lessons learned from previous editions,
particularly Grenada’s hosting in 2024, as well as careful analysis of
subsequent Games.
“We learned from 2024 and even
looked at what happened in 2025. That allowed us to anticipate challenges, plan
effectively, and put contingencies in place,” he explained. “Early engagement
with regional media and structured registration processes were also key to
managing operations smoothly.”
Despite a relatively short
preparation window, Hypolite expressed satisfaction with the level of
commercial support received, acknowledging the realities of hosting two major
Games within a short span.
“We were generally satisfied with
the support from the commercial sector, though we would have liked more,” he
said. “Our focus was on cost management, working closely with the LOC and
subcommittees to ensure efficiency and avoid financial strain.”
He added that many of the systems
and structures developed for CARIFTA 2026 can serve as a blueprint for future
track and field events in Grenada.
“Some of the systems we
implemented will continue to be used, even at a smaller scale, and improved
upon with new innovations,” Hypolite noted. “It provides a solid organisational
framework for future meets.”
A key highlight of the Games,
according to Hypolite, was the level of professionalism demonstrated by local
officials and administrators.
“The coordination and execution
from our officials showed that they are second to none in the Caribbean,” he
said. “The overall experience for visiting teams and media was also very
positive, and that is critical for our reputation.”
Hypolite was not surprised by the
strong turnout of regional and international media, attributing it to the
positive feedback from previous editions.
“Coming out of 2024, we heard the
satisfaction from media professionals, and we made sure to build on that,” he
said. “The level of coverage is important, especially as everyone is looking
for the next generation of stars.”
He emphasised that the momentum
generated by CARIFTA must now translate into stronger local sports journalism
and greater promotion of athletes.
“We need to replicate that level
of coverage locally to help propel our athletes even further,” he added.
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