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
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