Grenada Hosts Again — Now CARIFTA Must Look Global

by Michael Bascombe

As Grenada prepares to welcome the Caribbean once again for the CARIFTA Games, scheduled for April 4–6, 2026, expectations are understandably high. The Easter weekend championships have evolved far beyond a regional junior meet; today, CARIFTA represents one of the most important development platforms in global track and field. 

This year’s staging carries even greater significance.

According to NACAC President Mike Sands, who recently appeared on TalkSports, fans across the region and internationally can expect top-quality production and broadcast standards for the Grenada edition. His confidence reflects a reality that cannot be ignored. CARIFTA now enjoys growing global appeal, attracting attention well beyond the Caribbean.

The anticipated attendance of senior officials from World Athletics, including its President and vice-presidents, further raises expectations for Grenada’s staging.

We have confidence that the broadcast will meet the required standard, especially with continued investment in production equipment over the years. But great coverage goes beyond technology. Commentary and athlete analysis will play a critical role in shaping how viewers experience the competition.

Few analysts command global respect like Olympic medalist and NBC analyst Ato Boldon, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading voices in athletics broadcasting. His knowledge, storytelling ability, and familiarity with Caribbean athletes would immediately enhance the Games’ international presentation.

Complementing that experience are respected regional voices such as Terry Finisterre of St Lucia and Jamaican Ricardo Chambers, both of whom bring strong technical understanding and broadcast experience.

Blending these regional experts with knowledgeable local commentators over the three days of competition would create balance, combining international credibility with local storytelling and cultural connection.

As organisers finalise preparations, an important question remains: what lessons were learned from hosting the 2024 Games? Feedback from regional media should guide improvements in media operations, access, and overall broadcast coordination.

Journalists, broadcasters, photographers, and digital media practitioners often experience operational challenges firsthand, whether related to media access, mixed-zone logistics, internet reliability, commentary positions, or information flow. Addressing those concerns early is important.

CARIFTA is no longer just a regional meet. Grenada now has another opportunity to deliver a production worthy of that stage.

Kirani James Embraces Role in Supporting Future Athletes Through Grenada Olympians Association

by Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK, February 28, 2026 - Olympic champion Sir Kirani James says his decision to become involved with the Grenada Olympians Association (GOA) was driven by a strong belief in the importance of athletes supporting the next generation.

Speaking on the TalkSports programme about his involvement with the organisation, Sir Kirani described the initiative as a necessary support system for athletes, particularly within Grenada’s sporting environment.

“When the idea came up, I thought it was a fantastic thing,” Sir Kirani explained. “As athletes, you need that kind of support group, especially at home in Grenada. The question was — outside of the traditional administrations — what more can we do to help athletes reach their full potential?”

The Olympic gold medallist noted that one of the strengths of the GOA lies in the collective experience of its members, many of whom have competed at the highest international level and now bring valuable expertise to athlete development.

According to Sir Kirani, the association aims to ensure that emerging athletes benefit from guidance, mentorship, and access to resources that were often difficult to navigate during earlier generations of Grenadian athletes.

“The group has a really good blend of talents, ideas, and experiences,” he said. “We want to help athletes coming up so that some of the things we went through, they may not have to go through. If they need support or direction, we can help them find the avenues to achieve their goals.”

Sir Kirani also used the opportunity to deliver a strong message to young Grenadian athletes across all sporting disciplines, including athletics, boxing, taekwondo, and other Olympic sports, who aspire to compete on the world stage.

“It is a sacrifice,” he emphasised. “If you want to reach that level and be the best you can be, you have to be diligent, focused, and clear about what you want.”

He encouraged athletes to seek guidance and take advantage of available support systems, noting that success at the Olympic level comes down to discipline, commitment, and mindset rather than shortcuts.

“There’s no big secret to it,” he added. “It’s about how much work you put in, how focused you are, and where your mindset is. If that’s your goal, you have to take it seriously.”

Afy Fletcher Deserves Better: Why Grenada's Media Is Snubbing a National Hero's Farewell on Home Soil?

by Michael Bascombe

The series between the West Indies Women and Sri Lanka Women, which gets underway this weekend at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada (February 20–25 for the ODIs, with T20Is to follow), marks a special homecoming for one of our nation's finest sporting talents, Afy Fletcher.

As a proud daughter of La Fillette, St Andrew, the 38-year-old leg-spinner has been a cornerstone of the West Indies women's bowling attack for years. She has represented the region at multiple ICC World Cups, contributed to the 2016 T20 World Cup triumph, returned strongly after motherhood to claim her 100th ODI wicket, earned a spot in the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament, and amassed impressive tallies across formats including nearing milestones in T20 appearances and wickets.

This series is widely viewed as potentially her last opportunity to play international cricket on home soil, her second time ever representing the West Indies in Grenada, and perhaps a farewell chapter in a distinguished career that has inspired countless young athletes, especially girls, across the island and the wider Caribbean.

Yet, as the opening match approached, Cricket West Indies (CWI) reported that only one person from Grenada had requested media accreditation for the series. This stands in stark contrast to the scores of media personnel who routinely seek accreditation for events like the Inter-Secondary Schools' Athletics Championships or the CARIFTA Games.

I try to avoid critiquing local media, but this disparity does a real injustice to sports coverage in Grenada, particularly women's cricket. It reflects a broader pattern where women's achievements, especially in team sports like cricket, often receive far less attention than school athletics or other high-profile events.

The media has a vital role to play here. By showing up in force, journalists and outlets can recognise Afy Fletcher's legacy through features, interviews, and on-site reporting that celebrate her journey from local grounds to global stages, her resilience as a mother-athlete, and her contributions to West Indies cricket. This would give her and, by extension, Grenada the send-off she deserves in the twilight of her career, something many of our national heroes have sadly missed.

It will also promote and highlight women in sport and spotlight the talent, dedication, and progress of the West Indies Women and Sri Lanka Women teams. Coverage can inspire the next generation of girls to pursue cricket, challenge gender imbalances in local sports media, and elevate women's achievements to the same level as men's or youth events. 

This isn't just about one player or one series; it's about ensuring that Grenadian and Caribbean sports media reflect the full spectrum of talent on our islands. When we amplify women's cricket, we build a more inclusive sporting culture that values every contribution.

To Afy Fletcher, Thank you for your years of service, your wickets, your grace under pressure, and for putting Grenada on the world map. Whether this series marks your farewell or not, know that your impact endures. Best wishes for the matches ahead, bowl those magical leg-breaks, lead by example, and enjoy every moment on home soil.

To the West Indies Women and Sri Lanka Women teams: May the series be competitive, respectful, and filled with outstanding cricket. Play with pride, entertain the crowds (and with free entry, bring the family!), and show why women's cricket deserves every bit of spotlight.

Grenadians, let's turn out in numbers at the stadium and support our Maroon Warriors. And to the media: this is a chance to step up, cover the story properly, and help honour one of our own.

Four Former TalkSports Guests Among 2026 Grenada National Awardees

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, February 8, 2026 — Four former guests of the weekly TalkSports programme are among the 11 Grenadians named as recipients of National Honours for 2026, announced during the Independence Military Parade and Rally on Saturday as the nation celebrated its 52nd Anniversary of Independence.

The awardees—whose work spans sports, health, education, policing and community leadership—were recognised for outstanding service and commitment to national development. Among them are Michaele Hercules, Dr Deborah-Ann Stephens-John, James Clarkson, and Cheney Joseph—all of whom previously appeared on TalkSports to discuss their areas of expertise and national impact.

Award Categories and Honourees

The Spice Isle Award – Sports

Michaele Hercules received the Spice Isle Award for her long-standing contribution to sports. Widely respected for her extensive involvement in event planning and management, particularly in sporting events, Hercules has been a key figure in Grenada’s sports community for decades. Her work includes leadership roles in netball tournaments and school sports programmes.

The Camerhogne Award – Health and Sports Education

Dr Deborah-Ann Stephens-John was awarded the Camerhogne Award for her contributions to health and sports education. A family medical practitioner since 1997, she has broken barriers as Grenada’s first female certified ringside physician. Her expertise has taken her to the highest levels of international sport, serving as a ringside doctor and official at major boxing events, including the Paris Olympic Games, while continuing to advocate for athlete safety and medical best practices.

The Camerhogne Award – Policing

James Clarkson’s recognition reflects a career that bridges sports, culture and law enforcement. A former national footballer, Clarkson later transitioned into coaching, playing a formative role in developing the next generation of Grenadian footballers. Beyond the pitch, he has been a strong advocate for culture, directing steelpan ensembles and championing the steelpan art form. His leadership extended to national security when he served as Commissioner of Police.

The Medal of Honour – Sports (Football)

Cheney Joseph received the Medal of Honour for his contribution to football. A former national footballer, Joseph later served as President of the Grenada Football Association (GFA).

Other 2026 National Awardees

The remaining awardees are Ricardo Keens-Douglas (Arts and Culture), Catherine John (Culture and Tourism), Brigid Logan (Culture), Samuel Britton (Community Mentorship), Jean Jacqueline-Small (Community Mentorship), Kent Joseph (Entrepreneurship, Community Development & Empowerment), and Walter Clement Noel (Health & Research), who was honoured posthumously.

All recipients are expected to receive their awards from the Governor-General in the coming weeks.

TalkSports is a weekly sports discussion programme hosted by former sports journalist Michael Bascombe and former athlete and Olympian Rudieon Sylvan. The show provides a forum for athletes, administrators, professionals and policymakers to examine sports development and broader issues, while celebrating Caribbean excellence at home and abroad.

Collymore urges Caribbean unity to elevate Road Tennis across the region

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, January 31, 2026 - Barry Collymore, Chairman of Mount Cinnamon Resort, has issued a passionate call for greater Caribbean unity and self-belief as he urged the region to embrace and actively promote road tennis, a sport indigenous to Barbados but already played across several Caribbean islands.

Speaking as a guest on the TalkSports programme on Saturday, Collymore lamented what he described as a persistent tendency for Caribbean countries to overlook home-grown opportunities in favour of imported ideas.

“I get really mad at us in the Caribbean because we squander so many opportunities because of our lack of unity,” Collymore said. “Right now, you have hotels and facilities throughout the region, yet we are not pushing our own indigenous sports.”

He pointed to the global surge in popularity of racket sports—such as pickleball, padel and emerging variants like Typti—and questioned why road tennis, despite its Caribbean roots and accessibility, has not enjoyed the same coordinated regional push.

“Road tennis is indigenous to Barbados, but it’s played in other islands,” he noted. “How many hotels have road tennis courts in Barbados? How many hotels have road tennis courts throughout the Caribbean? Yet everyone is building tennis, pickleball and padel courts. We don’t push our own things.”

According to Collymore, this hesitation often stems from insular thinking, where innovations associated with one island are not readily embraced by others.

“Because something is invented or pushed by Barbados, someone in another island doesn’t feel the need to push it. That’s a flaw in our Caribbean psyche, and we need to correct it immediately,” he argued.

Collymore believes the region’s tourism sector—particularly hotels and resorts—can play a

transformative role by integrating road tennis courts into their recreational offerings and showcasing the sport at international travel and sports expos.

“Put it in every hotel. Put it in all the Caribbean shows throughout the world,” he said. “If you don’t believe in yourself as a region, who is going to believe in you?”

He also highlighted growing scientific evidence that racket sports contribute significantly to longevity and healthy ageing, describing them as “the fountain of youth.” This, he said, presents a timely opportunity for road tennis to be positioned alongside global racket sports trends.

“Pickleball was invented long after road tennis and has taken off. Now there’s another one coming. But road tennis could be in that mix if we, as a region, decide that this is what we’re doing.”

Collymore stressed that meaningful progress will require collective action, strategic planning and political will, bringing together sporting administrators, private-sector stakeholders and policymakers.

“That’s why a regional summit on sport and physical activity is so important,” he added. “We’ve got to get the best minds in a room, along with a few politicians, and get these things going.”