InterCol at a Crossroads: Fourteen Years Later, the Call for Reform Remains

by Michael Bascombe

Fourteen years ago, I penned a commentary titled “Urgent Overhaul of InterCol Champs Needed.” At the time, it was a call to action, one rooted in the belief that Grenada’s premier secondary schools’ athletics championships had outgrown their structure and required a more strategic approach.

Today, in 2026, that call still echoes.

To be fair, the Inter-Secondary Schools’ Athletics Championships, known as InterCol, has evolved tremendously. What was once a school-based competition has now become a national spectacle, arguably second only to Spicemas in terms of public interest, participation, and cultural significance. The energy at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium each year is evidence of its power, packed stands, school colours, and a level of competition that continues to inspire.

The reality is that InterCol has outgrown its traditional framework. While the Grenada Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (GAPSS) has done commendable work in organising the championships over the years, the scale and impact of the event now demand a more permanent and professionalised management structure.

This is not about removing GAPSS from the process, far from it. Instead, it is about strengthening the foundation through a dedicated body or secretariat that works year-round, ensuring continuity, planning, and execution at the highest level. If we can establish and maintain a structured entity to manage Spicemas, then we can do the same for one of the nation’s most important sporting events.

Such a structure should involve key stakeholders, including the Ministries of Education and Sports, working collaboratively with GAPSS. This would allow for a more coordinated approach, not just to InterCol, but to the broader development of secondary school sports across Grenada.

Because InterCol is no longer just an event. It is a product. And like any product, it requires strategic planning, branding, marketing, and investment.

Several areas require urgent attention, including Marketing and Promotion; Sponsorship and Commercialisation; Broadcast and Production; Athlete Development; Event Management and Logistics; and the Expansion of School Sports.

InterCol deserves a year-round promotional strategy. The stories of the athletes, the rivalries between schools, and the journey to the championships should be told consistently across traditional and digital media. This is how you build anticipation and deepen national engagement.

Corporate Grenada must be given a clearer, more structured opportunity to invest. With proper packaging, InterCol can attract significant sponsorship, easing the financial burden on schools and organisers while enhancing the overall quality of the event.

The championships have already shown their potential as a broadcast product. However, there is a need for standardised, high-quality production, complete with graphics, athlete profiles, real-time results, and expert commentary to match regional and international standards. This is important, especially with Grenada positioning itself as a host of major events such as the CARIFTA Games.

InterCol should be integrated into a clear national development pathway. It must not be viewed as the final destination, but rather as a stepping stone to higher levels, CARIFTA Games, collegiate athletics, and beyond.

From scheduling to athlete management, medical services to crowd control, there must be a professionalised approach that reduces inefficiencies and enhances the experience for athletes and spectators alike.

Perhaps most importantly, this proposed structure could oversee not only athletics but a wider programme of secondary school sports. Basketball, football, cricket, swimming and volleyball could all benefit from the same level of organisation and visibility, creating a true culture of school-based sport development.

InterCol has reached a point where passion alone is no longer enough. It now requires policy, planning, and professionalism.

Fourteen years later, the conversation must move from suggestion to implementation.

Grenada has the talent and enthusiasm. What is needed now is the structure to match.

Previous commentary: https://mikebas.blogspot.com/2012/03/urgent-overhaul-of-intercol-champs.html  

Clement Defends Decathlon Title at Champs

by Michael Bascombe

KINGSTON, Jamaica – March 27, 2026 - Grenadian standout Jurel Clement successfully defended his decathlon title at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Championships in Kingston, producing a dominant two-day performance.

Representing Kingston College, Clement finished with 6,837 points, comfortably ahead of Jaquan Souden of Happy Grove High School (6,696), with Deandre Isidore of Jamaica College third on 5,520.

On the final day, Clement stamped his authority on the field, winning the pole vault and javelin, while placing second in the 110m hurdles and discus, and third in the 1500m.

Clement now shifts focus to the upcoming CARIFTA Games at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium next weekend. 

Clement Leads Decathlon Charge at Champs, Eyes Record Chase

by Michael Bascombe

KINGSTON, Jamaica, March 26, 2026 — Grenadian multi-event standout Jurel Clement has positioned himself for a strong title defence after taking the lead at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships decathlon at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Representing the powerhouse Kingston College, the former Hillsborough Secondary School student closed Day One atop the standings with 3,617 points, holding a slim 28-point advantage over Jaquan Souden of Happy Grove High School, who sits second with 3,589 points.

Clement delivered a well-balanced performance across the five events contested on the opening day. He sprinted to victory in the 100 metres in 10.98 seconds, setting the tone early, and followed up with a series of consistent finishes, placing second in the long jump (6.80m), shot put (11.88m), and 400 metres (50.84 seconds), while securing third in the high jump with a clearance of 1.78m.

With the competition finely poised, Clement will begin Day Two with the 110m hurdles before moving into the discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, and the gruelling 1500 metres, events that will ultimately determine the decathlon champion.

The defending champion now has his sights set not only on retaining his crown, but also on chasing the meet record of 6,969 points, established in 2023 by fellow Grenadian Isaiah Patrick, also of Kingston College.

Meanwhile, there were near-podium finishes for Grenadian athletes in the middle-distance events. Nicholas Frederick of Alphansus Davis High School placed fourth in the Class One Boys’ 1500 metres in 4:00.76, while teammate Ameiah Samuel finished fifth in the Girls’ equivalent in 4:51.59.

Frederick will return to the track on Thursday for the 800 metres preliminaries as Grenadian athletes continue their campaign at Champs.

 

GRENADA TEAM TRIMMED TO 65 FOR HOME CARIFTA GAMES

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, March 25, 2026 – Grenada’s squad for the 53rd CARIFTA Games has been reduced to 65 athletes, following an updated release from the Grenada Athletics Association (GAA), just days after an initial 70-member team was announced.

The revised team now comprises 65 athletes supported by a 14-member management unit, as the country continues its preparations to host the region’s premier junior track and field championships at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium from April 4–6.

The GAA confirmed that five athletes have been removed from the original list in the Under-17 caregory. Those omitted are Kaiyanna Alexander (Classique Lighting Finishline/SJCSG), Temara Newton (St David’s Track Blazers/SDCSS), Kaya Swan (Classique Lighting Finishline), and Riyana Thomas (Peak Performance Track Club) from the Girls’ Under-17 category, along with Qwanell Pierre (South City Rising Stars/GBSS) from the Boys’ Under-20 division.

Alexander has since been elevated to the Girls’ Under-20 category.

No official explanation was provided for the changes. However, GrenadaSports understands that Pierre sustained an injury during the final event at the Inter-Secondary Schools’ Athletics Championships, which concluded last Thursday at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium.

The team, which still reflects a solid mix of youth and emerging talent, includes 23 female and 42 male athletes across the Under-17 and Under-20 categories.

Among the females, 14 athletes are expected to compete in the Under-17 division, with nine listed for the Under-20 category. On the male side, the team features 18 Under-17 athletes and a competitive Under-20 group, including three Jamaica-based athletes — Jurel Clement, Nicholas Frederick, and Shyiem Phillip.

Heading the management team is Wayne McSween, supported by a well-rounded staff that includes 10 coaches, a team manager and assistant, a physiotherapist, and a safeguarding officer.

With less than two weeks remaining before the Games, final preparations are intensifying.

GAA Public Relations Officer Kwame Hypolite confirmed that the athletes will enter a weekend camp as part of the final phase.

“The team is going to camp on Friday, where they will stay through the weekend up to Monday. After that, we’ll have a media session and officially introduce the team to the public,” Hypolite said during an interview on TalkSports.

After the camp, athletes will return home briefly before regrouping ahead of their move into the Games Village on Thursday.

Hypolite added that the camp will focus on more than just competition readiness.

“During that period, the athletes will be engaged with several stakeholders to help them develop in different areas. At the same time, our relay teams will be fine-tuning their exchanges, and our field event athletes will be working on improving their techniques,” he explained.

Grenada is set to host the CARIFTA Games for the fourth time, with both government and NACAC officials stressing the importance of delivering a world-class event.

Minister for Youth and Sports, Delma Thomas, has already signalled that the Games should serve as a platform for empowerment and unity, while also setting new benchmarks for governance and execution.

GRENADA NAMES 70-STRONG TEAM FOR HOME CARIFTA GAMES

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, March 23, 2026 – Grenada has unveiled a 70-member national team to compete at the 53rd CARIFTA Games, setting the stage for what is expected to be a memorable championship on home soil at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium from April 4–6.

The squad, announced by the Grenada Athletics Association (GAA) on Monday, features a balanced mix of youth and experience, with 27 female and 43 male athletes selected across the Under-17 and Under-20 categories.

In the female division, 18 athletes will compete in the Under-17 category, while nine will represent Grenada at the Under-20 level. The male contingent includes 18 Under-17 athletes and a strong Under-20 group, bolstered by three Jamaica-based athletes — Jurel Clement, Nicholas Frederick, and Shyiem Phillip, adding valuable depth to the team.

A 14-member management unit, headed by experienced official Wayne McSween, will oversee the team’s preparation and performance. The support staff includes 10 coaches, a team manager, an assistant, a physiotherapist, and a safeguarding officer.

With less than two weeks to go before the region’s premier junior track and field championships, final preparations are now entering a critical phase.

GAA Public Relations Officer Kwame Hypolite confirmed that the team will head into a weekend camp as part of its build-up.

“The team is going to camp on Friday, where they will stay through the weekend up to Monday. After that, we’ll have a media session and officially introduce the team to the public,” Hypolite said during an interview on TalkSports.

After the camp, athletes will return home briefly before regrouping ahead of their move into the Games Village on Thursday.

Hypolite emphasised that the camp will focus not only on physical readiness but also on holistic athlete development.

“During that period, the athletes will be engaged with several stakeholders to help them develop in different areas. At the same time, our relay teams will be fine-tuning their exchanges, and our field event athletes will be working on improving their techniques,” he explained.

Grenada is set to host the CARIFTA Games for the fourth time, with both government and NACAC officials stressing the need to deliver a world-class event

Minister for Youth and Sports, Delma Thomas, has already signalled that the Games should serve as a platform for empowerment and unity, while also setting new benchmarks for governance and execution.