Penn: ANOCES success could reignite discussion on OECS Sports Desk

by Michael Bascombe

ROAD TOWN, TORTOLA, June 6, 2026 - President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of the OECS (ANOCES), Ephraim Penn, believes the organisation's early success could eventually help lay the foundation for renewed regional sports cooperation, including discussions surrounding the possible return of an OECS Sports Desk.

Appearing on Saturday's edition of the TalkSports programme, Penn was asked whether there remains a need for a formal OECS Sports Desk, which for years played a role in coordinating sporting initiatives and development programmes across the sub-region.

While stopping short of directly calling for its immediate return, Penn stressed that ANOCES is currently focused on demonstrating that meaningful and sustainable regional collaboration can work before pursuing broader institutional support.

"There's a need for cooperation among the OECS countries, and that is where we have started," Penn said. "It can evolve into further discussion."

The British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee President explained that ANOCES first wants to establish a successful sporting product through its championships and development initiatives before approaching governments and regional institutions for greater collaboration.

"If we are successful and we have a successful product from ANOCES, then we can go to the governments and to the OECS Secretariat and say, 'Look, we are not just talking. We have a product that can benefit the entire region. How can we work together to help foster better cooperation in the sporting environment for the OECS?''

Penn noted that simply creating a sports desk without a strong foundation of cooperation would not be enough to address the challenges facing sport in the region.

"Setting up a desk is one thing, but we need collaboration and cooperation," he said. "Not only in the sporting sector, but the private sector has to play a key role. Government has to play a key role."

The ANOCES President said the organisation's primary focus is engaging young people through sport, particularly at a time when many countries across the Eastern Caribbean are facing social challenges affecting youth.

"We have looked at the landscape. Our young people are suffering. They are crying, especially our young men," Penn said. "It's a big challenge among young men throughout the OECS. It's not particular to any one island or any one country."

He argued that sport can provide a positive avenue for engagement and development, but warned against waiting for ideal conditions before taking action.

"We cannot just sit down and say we're not going to do this because we don't have a sports desk, or we're not going to do this because we don't have this or that," he said. "We have decided to start, and once we begin to do that, then the other things will fall into place."

ANOCES is currently embarking on its first full year of regional championships, including track and field, beach volleyball, and table tennis competitions, as it seeks to create sustainable opportunities for athletes throughout the sub-region.

Penn expressed hope that successful events would attract support from both governments and the private sector, helping to strengthen the organisation's long-term vision for regional sports development.

"This is the first year, and we are hoping and praying that all our events are very successful and that we present a good product that the private sector would want to buy into and governments would see the advantage of supporting," he said.

The ANOCES President also acknowledged the contributions of those who worked with the former OECS Sports Desk, noting that their efforts should not be forgotten.

"I know there was a lot of work that went into the Sports Desk, and there are people who really did a lot of work that should be appreciated because, just like us, their heart was in the right place," Penn said.

He emphasised that the ultimate objective remains the advancement of athletes and future generations across the OECS.

"We are trying to do the right thing, not only for ourselves, but for the athletes and, most importantly, the future athletes of our sub-region," Penn added. "Let's work together for that."

Penn welcomes renewed discussion on OECS Throws Academy

by Michael Bascombe

ROAD TOWN, TORTOLA, June 6, 2026 - The possibility of establishing a regional Throws Academy remains very much alive within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), according to the Association of National Olympic Committees of the OECS (ANOCES) President Ephraim Penn.

Speaking on Saturday's edition of the TalkSports programme, Penn said the concept, which has been discussed periodically over the years, continues to enjoy support among regional sports leaders and could receive renewed attention at upcoming ANOCES meetings.

The idea of a Throws Academy gained traction several years ago, particularly in light of the Eastern Caribbean's growing success in field events, including javelin, discus, shot put, and combined events. Grenada, in particular, has produced world-class athletes such as two-time world javelin champion Anderson Peters and Olympic decathlon bronze medallist Lindon Victor, while several other OECS territories have also developed talented throwers and field event athletes.

Responding to a question about whether the academy could return to the regional sporting agenda, Penn pointed to the continued commitment of Veda Bruno-Victor, General Secretary of the Grenada Olympic Committee (GOC) and First Vice-President of PANAM Sports.

"Well, if you know Veda, you know it's going to come back," Penn said. "And she's committed to that. And I'm sure that at our meeting in St Kitts, we are going to be building on a lot of things and trying to do things like that."

Penn noted that the concept of specialised sports academies has already demonstrated success within the region and cited the experience of one of the Caribbean's leading athletes.

"I know she's always committed to that. In fact, some of our athletes, including one of our most famous athletes, Kyron McMaster, a hurdler, went to an academy in Grenada when he was very young. So there is proof that it works," he said.

McMaster, the British Virgin Islands' most decorated track and field athlete, has enjoyed significant success internationally, including a 400 metres hurdles medallist at the World Athletics Championships.

Penn praised Grenada's continued contribution to regional sport development, describing the island as a country that consistently exceeds expectations despite its size.

"I think Grenada, among the small countries, always punches above its weight," he said.

The ANOCES President stressed that regional cooperation remains important to maximising the sporting potential of OECS nations and suggested that Grenada's expertise in the throws could be shared more broadly throughout the sub-region.

"It's something that, as you mentioned earlier, in the region, we work on together," Penn said. "We recognise the skills and the talent in Grenada. And if they are willing to help the other OECS countries, I see no reason why we shouldn't take that up and run with it."

The concept of a regional Throws Academy was originally championed by respected athletics coach Paul Phillip of Grenada and has been viewed as a potential pathway for developing the next generation of Caribbean field event athletes through specialised coaching, sports science support, and regional collaboration.

Phillip is also the coach of Anderson Peters.

ANOCES outlines busy calendar of regional championships for 2026

by Michael Bascombe

ROAD TOWN, TORTOLA, June 6, 2026 - President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of the OECS (ANOCES), Ephraim Penn, says the organisation has an ambitious programme of regional sporting events planned for the remainder of 2026 as it continues to strengthen sporting opportunities and collaboration across the Eastern Caribbean.

Speaking on Saturday's edition of the TalkSports programme, Penn outlined a calendar featuring five major championships across four sports, while highlighting the return of one of the region's most significant athletics competitions.

"We have the rebirth of the OECS Track and Field Championship, now called the ANOCES Track and Field Championship," Penn announced.

The championship will be hosted in St Kitts and Nevis from July 4-5 and marks the return of a competition that has played an important role in the development of track and field throughout the sub-region.

Penn said the athletics championships will be followed by the ANOCES Beach Volleyball Championship, also in St Kitts and Nevis, from July 10-12.

The regional sporting calendar will then continue with the OECS Swimming Championship in St Lucia from November 6-8, an event that has received financial support from ANOCES, before concluding with the ANOCES Table Tennis Championship in St Lucia from December 6-8.

The ANOCES President said the organisation has been encouraged by the success of recent initiatives, particularly the regional 3x3 basketball programme, and by the level of commitment being shown by member territories.

"All of our countries have committed to compete at the OECS Track and Field Championship, including those without National Olympic Committees, Montserrat and Anguilla, which is great, as all our athletes are going to get a chance again to showcase their talent," Penn said.

He revealed that the Track and Field Championship will also serve as a platform to honour two individuals whose contributions have had a lasting impact on sport in the OECS.

Among those to be recognised is the late Alphonso Bridgewater, the long-serving President of the St Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee and former President of ANOCES, who died in 2024 after decades of distinguished service to sport administration in the region.

ANOCES will also honour Rey O'Neal, a co-founder of both the British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee and the British Virgin Islands Athletics Association, whose dedication to preserving the history of Caribbean athletics has earned widespread respect throughout the sporting community.

Penn announced that O'Neal's book, The History of Track and Field in the OECS, will be officially launched during the championships in St Kitts and Nevis.

"We're going to recognise the contribution of Mr Rey O'Neal to the development of track and field in our sub-region by launching his book, The History of Track and Field in the OECS," Penn said.

"And every island, every country will be surprised as to what is in that book. This is a labour of love, and we're going to unveil that at the OECS Track and Field Championship in St Kitts."

 

Peters maintains Diamond League momentum with Rome silver

Anderson Peters/Andrew Medichini - AP

by Michael Bascombe

ROME, Italy, June 5, 2026 - Grenadian javelin star Anderson Peters produced another strong performance on the Wanda Diamond League circuit on Thursday, finishing second in a high-quality Men's Javelin Throw competition won by Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage.

The two-time World Champion and Paris Olympic bronze medallist registered a best throw of 83.91 metres in the fifth round to secure the runner-up position at the Stadio Olimpico.

However, the evening belonged to Pathirage, who produced a sensational second-round effort of 92.62 metres to become only the second Asian athlete to surpass the 92-metre mark.

The throw not only established a new Sri Lankan national record but also set a new meeting record, eclipsing the previous mark of 90.34 metres set by Norway's Andreas Thorkildsen in 2006. It also stands as the world-leading performance this season.

American Curtis Thompson, the bronze medallist at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, finished a close third with 83.89m, just two centimetres behind Peters.

Tokyo World Championships gold medallist Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago placed fourth with a best effort of 83.45m in the fourth round.

Peters, who opened his Diamond League season with victory in Rabat, Morocco, was pleased with another podium finish and believes his consistency will serve him well as the season progresses.

"Second place with 83.91m is pretty good. I am showing some form of consistency," Peters said after the competition.

"I won in Rabat; this time I came second - you win some, and you lose some; this is athletics. Pathirage's 92m is pretty decent. Seeing him throw so far was motivating for me."

The Grenadian also enjoyed his first appearance at the historic venue.

"It is my first time here in Rome, and I have to say that the stadium is pretty decent," he added.

For Pathirage, the victory represented a breakthrough moment in his career.

"I tried my best today to throw the national record. I managed to improve it by 30 centimetres," the Sri Lankan said.

"Even though I had only two valid attempts today, I am very stable mentally. It was very hot in Rabat, and the weather in Rome feels good to throw further than at the last competition. Winning today feels like a Sri Lankan festival."

The result leaves both Pathirage and Peters tied atop the Diamond League standings with 15 points after two of the five qualifying meetings. Walcott occupies third position with 11 points.

The Diamond League javelin throwers will next meet on June 19 in Doha, Qatar. The event was originally scheduled for May 8 but was postponed due to military tensions in the Middle East region.

Uncertainty continues over host for 2027 CARIFTA Games

by Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK, May 31, 2026 - Uncertainty continues to surround the hosting of the 2027 CARIFTA Games, with unconfirmed reports suggesting that NACAC may reopen the bidding process after prospective hosts have not yet secured the required government guarantees.

The reports come as the North American, Central American, and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) continues its search for a host nation for the region's premier junior track and field championships.

NACAC President Mike Sands, speaking during a brief appearance on Saturday's edition of TalkSports, confirmed that no host has yet been approved but assured the athletics community that an announcement would be made as soon as a decision is reached.

"Trust me, as soon as I get the word, the whole family of CARIFTA and the diaspora, and everybody else will know because that's our premier event," Sands said. "That won't be any secret. We won't keep that a secret. Trust me."

Sands explained that following discussions at the NACAC Congress held in Grenada during the 2026 CARIFTA Games, member federations interested in hosting the 2027 edition were invited to submit bids accompanied by letters of guarantee from their respective governments.

Although NACAC had initially hoped to identify a host by the end of April, the process has been delayed.

Both Saint Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago expressed interest in staging the championships. However, according to Sands, neither federation has yet secured the required government guarantee.

The CARIFTA Games is NACAC's flagship developmental competition and annually showcases the Caribbean's top junior athletes, many of whom go on to represent the region at major international championships, including the Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports indicate that NACAC is being urged to reopen the bidding process to all member federations as efforts continue to secure a host for the 2027 Games.