NEW YORK, May 9, 2026 - The
host nation for the 2027 CARIFTA Games remains undecided as NACAC continues
to await formal government guarantees from the two countries interested in
staging the region’s premier junior athletics championships.
President of the North American,
Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC), Mike Sands,
provided the update during a brief appearance on the latest edition of TalkSports
on Saturday, explaining that both Saint Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago
had expressed interest in hosting the 2027 Games, but neither federation has
yet secured the required letter of guarantee from its government.
Speaking while in transit, Sands
first praised Grenada for what he described as one of the most exciting
editions of the CARIFTA Games in recent history after the country stepped in to
host the 2026 championships.
“I again say thank you to the
government and the people of Grenada for stepping up to the plate and making
the CARIFTA Games one of the most exciting CARIFTA Games ever,” Sands said.
“CARIFTA is our foundation, and we have to continue to build on that foundation
if we want our programmes to progress throughout the region.”
He also highlighted the
increasing competitiveness across the region, noting that more member
federations earned medals at the 2026 Games, including smaller territories.
“At the end of the day, even the
smaller ones medalling says a lot about the work that the coaches are doing
with their programmes,” he added.
Sands explained that following
discussions at the NACAC Congress, member federations interested in hosting the
2027 Games were asked to submit bids accompanied by letters of guarantee from
their governments.
However, despite an initial
target to announce the host by the end of April, the process has been delayed.
“The deadline has passed and
gone,” Sands revealed. “Neither of the member federations has been able to
secure the letter at this time. We understand from both that it’s under
consideration or with the cabinets, and we all know how our central governments
work.”
While admitting to being “a
little disappointed,” Sands stressed that he remains confident a decision will
soon be made.
“Hopefully this week it will come
through, and we’ll be able to make the official announcement based on our
discussions with our council members and what is on offer from the respective
member federations,” he stated.
Asked whether there would still
be enough time for the eventual host to organise the Games, Sands expressed no
concern, pointing out that both countries have previous experience staging
CARIFTA.
“The answer to your question is
yes,” he said. “I am not in the least concerned. They both have experience in
doing it, so it’s not something new to our member federations.”
He noted that NACAC has adopted a
more hands-on approach in supporting host nations.
“We have committed ourselves as a
NACAC Council to be much more involved as opposed to just giving the event to
the member federation,” Sands explained. “We stay very close to them. We have
weekly meetings and information sessions to provide guidance, support,
manpower, and whatever assistance we can lend to the local organising
committee.”
Sands also used the opportunity
to raise broader concerns about the growing challenges of sports financing and
sponsorship across the region and internationally.
“We have to look outside the box
when we’re doing these things because sponsorship is not easy to come by,” he
said. “It’s not just for track and field or CARIFTA; it’s worldwide. We have to
start thinking a little differently.”
During the exchange, TalkSports
host Michael Bascombe reiterated Grenada’s strong connection to the
championships, describing the island as “the spiritual home of the CARIFTA
Games,” especially after its successful hosting of the 2026 edition at the Kirani
James Athletic Stadium.
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