No Decision Yet on Next CARIFTA Host as NACAC Awaits Formal Bids

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, April 6, 2026 - NACAC President Mike Sands has confirmed that no decision has yet been made on the host country for the next CARIFTA Games, following discussions at the NACAC Congress on Monday.

Sands revealed that while there were no official bids submitted ahead of the Congress, two member federations, St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago, have since expressed interest in staging the region’s premier junior track and field championships.

However, he noted that NACAC was not in a position to decide at this stage, as the formal bidding requirements had not yet been met. Both federations have now been asked to submit the necessary documentation, including letters of guarantee confirming support from their respective governments and/or sponsors.

“Once those documents are received, the NACAC Council is expected to make a decision within 14 days,” Sands explained, indicating that the selection process could move swiftly once the criteria are satisfied.

Sands also outlined key factors required to host the CARIFTA Games, emphasising the importance of strong government backing, financial guarantees, suitable facilities, and the organisational capacity to deliver a high-quality event. These elements, he stressed, are important to maintaining the standard and legacy of the Games, which continue to serve as a vital platform for youth development across the Caribbean.

CARIFTA 2026: Dr Adrian Lorde Emphasises Anti-Doping Integrity in Caribbean Athletics

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, April 6, 2026 - The importance of maintaining integrity in Caribbean athletics was underscored by Adrian Lorde, who served as the Medical and Anti-Doping Delegate at the 53rd CARIFTA Games in Grenada.

Speaking with GrenadaSports on the final day of competition at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium, Dr Lorde highlighted the important role that anti-doping education and enforcement play in safeguarding the future of the region’s young athletes.

He stressed that CARIFTA, as the premier junior athletics championship in the Caribbean, provides an important platform not only for competition but also for instilling the values of clean sport from an early stage.

“Education is key,” Dr Lorde noted, explaining that many young athletes are still learning about prohibited substances and the consequences of violations. He added that early awareness helps build a culture of responsibility and accountability that athletes can carry throughout their careers.

Dr Lorde also pointed to the collaborative efforts between NACAC, national federations, and international bodies to ensure that testing protocols and medical standards are upheld during the Games.

He emphasised that maintaining these standards is vital for the credibility of Caribbean athletics on the global stage.

Aquatic Centre Construction Begins as La Sagesse Project Remains in Planning Phase

Government outlines progress and challenges for two key sporting facilities

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, April 1, 2026 – The Government of Grenada has provided an update on two major sporting infrastructure projects, confirming that construction has commenced on the National Aquatic Centre at Queen’s Park, while the proposed renovation of the La Sagesse Playing Field in St David remains in its early planning stages.

Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell disclosed that the La Sagesse project is currently in the pre-feasibility phase, noting that it is too early to establish a timeline for construction.

“Until the technical assessments are completed, it would be premature to provide any definitive timeframe,” the Prime Minister indicated, emphasising the importance of ensuring that all planning and evaluation processes are properly undertaken before advancing the project.

Meanwhile, more tangible progress is being made on the National Aquatic Centre at Queen’s Park. Chief Technical Officer Kimon Andrews confirmed that construction is already underway, with a local contractor leading the initial phase of works.

Andrews explained that the current scope of the project includes foundational work, specifically the base slab for the swimming pool, along with the development of ancillary buildings and bleachers to support the facility.

“The initial phase focuses on establishing the core infrastructure necessary for the Aquatic Centre,” Andrews noted, adding that the project is expected to evolve in phases as development progresses.

Jamaica’s Smartest Business Investment up to 2030 is in Sport

by Carole Beckford 

KINGSTON - In Jamaica, if your brand isn't in sport, it's missing the most powerful conversation in the country.

Sport is not just entertainment; it is economics, identity, and influence. 

Sport sponsorship in Jamaica offers the best return on investment, because it uniquely combines:

• Undervalued assets
• Mass reach
• Emotional connection
• Cultural relevance
• Direct earnings 

By 2030, sport will continue to make the shift from “good marketing” to “strategic necessity”, especially for brands in telecom, banking, tourism, and consumer goods.

From the excitement of our young men and women on the track to the global legacy of the Reggae Girlz, Reggae Boyz, Sunshine Girls, mixed with electrifying performances of the elite track and field athletes, sport commands attention in ways no traditional advertising channel can match. 

For businesses looking toward 2030, sport sponsorship is not a discretionary spend; it is the smartest investment for measurable return.

Unlike ads of any kind, sport delivers raw emotion. Fans assertively consume; they engage, celebrate, and identify. 

When brands align with teams, athletes, and events, they inherit that emotional equity. This translates directly into higher brand recall, stronger loyalty, and ultimately, increased sales. In a market like Jamaica, where community and culture drive consumer behaviour, that connection is invaluable.

The commercial case is equally compelling. Regional properties such as the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) demonstrate how sport fuels tourism, media rights, and consumer spending. Hotels fill up, restaurants thrive, and digital audiences expand globally, especially across the diaspora. Sponsorship, therefore, becomes more than marketing; it is demand generation.

Crucially, Jamaica remains in a sponsorship market that could be better leveraged. Compared to mature economies, fewer brands compete for high-visibility assets, meaning early investors secure a disproportionate share of voice at relatively low cost. 

As digital platforms and data analytics improve, businesses will also be able to track sponsorship performance with increasing precision, strengthening ROI accountability.

By 2030, the convergence of sport tourism, digital media, and youth development pipelines will only deepen sport’s economic impact. Companies that invest now will not only capture market share, but they will also shape national narratives.

 

Carole has worked in the business of sport in key areas of sponsorship, marketing, public relations, management, and administration for up to 30 years. 

Broadcast infrastructure must be a priority in Grenada’s sporting facilities

by Michael Bascombe

There is a growing reality in Grenada’s sporting landscape that can no longer be ignored: sport is no longer confined to the spectators inside the venue. It is now a product consumed globally, in real time, through television and digital platforms. Yet, despite this evolution, the design and infrastructure of some of our key sporting facilities have not kept pace.

At both the Kirani James Athletic Stadium and the Grenada National Cricket Stadium, there are no fixed, purpose-built camera positions. This oversight continues to create challenges for broadcasters, who are often forced to improvise, occupying vantage points that were never intended for television production. The result? Obstructed views for patrons, including VIPs, and less-than-optimal broadcast quality for audiences at home.

This is not merely a technical inconvenience; it is a missed opportunity.

Broadcasting is no longer a luxury; it is an important component of modern sport. It enhances visibility,

drives sponsorship and promotes athletes. When camera positions are not strategically integrated into stadium design, the entire product suffers. Angles are compromised, and the viewer experience, arguably the largest audience of all, is diminished.

Equally concerning is the apparent lack of consultation during the planning and construction phases of these facilities. Broadcasters, former athletes, coaches, and sports administrators all bring valuable, practical input. Their lived experiences could inform decisions on sightlines, commentary positions, mixed zones, lighting, and technical infrastructure. Yet too often, these voices are absent from the conversation.

As Grenada looks ahead to future projects such as the proposed National Aquatic Centre and the continued development of the La Sagesse Playing Field in St David, there is an opportunity to correct course. These facilities must be designed with a holistic vision, one that accommodates not only athletes and spectators but also the demands of modern broadcasting.

Simple considerations can make a significant difference, including dedicated camera gantries at strategic angles; elevated, unobstructed platforms for primary broadcast cameras; clearly defined media zones; integrated cabling and power infrastructure; and commentary boxes designed for professional production.

These are not extravagant additions. They are standard requirements in today’s sporting world.

Grenada has made commendable strides in hosting regional and international events, particularly in athletics and cricket. However, if we are serious about positioning ourselves as a premier sporting destination in the Caribbean, then our facilities must reflect global standards.

The conversation must shift from building venues to building complete sporting experiences. The next generation of sporting facilities must be built with that reality firmly in focus.