NACAC President urges CARICOM to establish wider sports committee

by Michael Bascombe

NASSAU, Bahamas, Aug. 29, 2026 - President of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC), Mike Sands, is calling for CARICOM to consider establishing a high-level sports commission or subcommittee, arguing that Caribbean political leaders need more structured and continuous engagement with sport beyond the regional grouping’s existing focus on cricket.

Speaking on Saturday’s TalkSports programme, Sands suggested that CARICOM could identify one of its political leaders to chair such a body and help ensure that sport receives greater attention as part of the region’s development agenda.

“Maybe it’s time for CARICOM to select one of those leaders to be the chair of a sports commission, if they don’t already have one,” Sands said.

During the discussion, it was noted that CARICOM has a prime ministerial subcommittee dealing with cricket. Sands said the concept should be widened.

“There should be a subcommittee probably for sports. That’s the point I make - not just cricket, sport,” he said.

Sands believes there is an opportunity to build on the recent engagement between CARICOM and regional athletics, particularly as preparations begin for Guyana to host the 2027 CARIFTA Games.

He disclosed that discussions surrounding the Games included the prospect of inviting, at minimum, CARICOM ministers responsible for sport.

“If we really want to sensitise our heads to the importance of sport, I think they need to be gathered in one place on a more regular basis,” Sands said.

He argued that such engagement should continue irrespective of changes in political administrations.

“Politics change the individual, but it should not change some principle things about nation-building,” he said, adding that political leaders and ministers responsible for sport and education have important roles in preparing the next generation.

Sands also stressed that any regional initiative should recognise the wider CARIFTA family and not be confined solely to CARICOM membership.

He noted that while all CARIFTA members may not belong to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), OECS members form part of the CARIFTA structure. The wider athletics family also includes territories outside CARICOM, which Sands said must be considered in any regional approach.

Beyond political cooperation, Sands said the 2027 Games should leave Guyana with tangible benefits.

“First of all, I think you have improved facilities. Let’s start with that. And you’ve got your full inventory of equipment,” he said.

Sands also expects knowledge gained from hosting the Games to remain with local officials, coaches, and athletes.

He said one of the longer-term outcomes should be a stronger relationship between CARICOM and the wider CARIFTA sporting community, creating more regular dialogue on the contribution sport can make to national and regional development.

Peters and James earn podium finishes on record-breaking night in Zurich

by Michael Bascombe

ZURICH, Switzerland, Aug. 27, 2026 - Anderson Peters and Kirani James produced season-best performances to secure podium finishes for Grenada at the Zurich Diamond League on Thursday, on a night when two world records were broken at the Letzigrund Stadium.

Peters finished second in the men’s javelin throw with 86.93 metres, while James placed third in the men’s 400 metres in 44.83 seconds.

Peters recorded his season's best in the opening round and held the early lead before Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage moved ahead with 88.23m in the second round.

Pathirage strengthened his position with 89.90m in the third round before producing a winning throw of 92.07m with his final attempt.

Peters followed his opening effort with throws of 82.17m, 83.52m, 84.22m and 82.08m before fouling in the last round. Poland’s Dawid Wegner took third with a season best of 85.16m.

“The energy here is always nice, and we had some really good throws today,” Peters said. “I am grateful for the season best, but I started to miss the javelin a little bit. We are heading in the right direction, and the aim is to peak at the Ultimate Championships.”

The two-time world champion said finding the right balance in his approach remains important as he prepares for his remaining competitions.

“Today, maybe I was a little bit too relaxed,” he said. “At the previous competition, I was a bit faster and a little more tense. It’s always about finding the balance of how we should approach the competition.”

Peters, whose personal best is 93.07m, remains confident that another throw beyond 90 metres is within reach.

“My PB is 93m. I am capable of throwing 90m,” he said. “The plan was to throw it even today, but I was a bit too comfortable. I am ready for the next one.”

James also recorded his fastest time of the season in the additional men’s 400m, which was not part of the Diamond League points programme.

Running from lane six, the Grenadian finished strongly to take third in 44.83 seconds.

Japan’s Yuki Joseph Nakajima won the race in a season best of 44.62, with Italy’s Edoardo Scotti second in 44.70. American Vernon Norwood placed fourth in 44.92.

The evening’s biggest performances came in the hurdles.

Brazil’s Alison dos Santos stormed to a world record of 45.80 seconds in the men’s 400m hurdles, lowering the previous mark of 45.94 set by Norway’s Karsten Warholm at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.

Warholm finished second in 46.69, while Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel was third in 47.50.

Less than half an hour later, Masai Russell of the United States established a world record in the women’s 100m hurdles, clocking 12.09 seconds in still conditions.

Russell erased the previous record of 12.12 set by Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan in 2022. Amusan finished second on Thursday with a season best of 12.23, while Nadine Visser of the Netherlands was third in 12.34.

Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred led the other notable Caribbean performances, winning the women’s 100m in a national record of 10.70 seconds despite a 0.7 metres-per-second headwind.

American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden was also credited with 10.70, but Alfred was awarded the victory following a photo finish. Sha’Carri Richardson of the United States placed third in 10.97.

“Staying at the top is definitely a harder job than making it up there,” Alfred said. “We have a long way to go in Saint Lucia, but we are getting there. A national record puts Saint Lucia on the map.”

Jamaica’s Rajindra Campbell finished second in the men’s shot put with 22.22m. American Jordan Geist won with a personal best of 22.53m, while Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri was third with 22.16m.

Rushell Clayton added another podium finish for Jamaica, placing third in the women’s 400m hurdles in 53.17 seconds. She missed second place by one-hundredth of a second, with American Dalilah Muhammad clocking a season best of 53.16.

Anna Cockrell of the United States won the race in a world-leading and meeting-record time of 52.13.

Zurich was the final regular-season meeting before the two-day Diamond League Final in Brussels on September 4 and 5. Peters has qualified to represent Grenada in the men’s javelin final, while James’ race in Zurich was outside the championship points series.

Grenada approves licence for new 5G mobile operator

AI-assisted passenger processing system also planned for 2027

by Michael Bascombe 

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, Aug. 27, 2026 - Grenada has approved a licence for a new mobile telecommunications operator that is expected to introduce 5G service to the country, according to Chairman of the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC), Vincent Roberts.

Roberts made the disclosure during a media conference on Tuesday but did not identify the company or provide a date for the start of its operations.

“I wouldn’t be saying anything out of form if I say that Grenada has just approved a licence for a new mobile operator,” he told reporters. “It is not in the public domain as yet, but we will be having a 5G operator in Grenada very soon.”

The announcement was made on the sidelines of the 22nd Caribbean Internet Governance Forum, held from August 24–26 at the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort.

Roberts also outlined plans for the introduction of an Advance Passenger Information System and AI-assisted processing of arriving travellers.

Under the system, Grenadian authorities would receive passenger information before a traveller arrives in the country. Roberts said facial-recognition technology could then be used to match an arriving passenger with the information already received, allowing those cleared by the system to move through immigration more quickly.

He said the technology could also provide a personalised greeting to returning travellers as they pass through the arrival area.

Roberts indicated that work on the system could begin before the end of 2026, with implementation expected during 2027.

“When you book a flight, and you’re coming to Grenada, we will receive the information beforehand,” he explained. “As you’re walking through the corridor to go to immigration, they will use a photograph to match it with the advance information.”

The Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record Bill, which went before Parliament earlier this year, provides a legal framework for the collection, processing, sharing, and protection of information relating to people travelling to, from, or through Grenada.

It also provides for the establishment of a Passenger Information Unit and the appointment of a Data Protection Officer.

Roberts said the passenger system forms part of a wider digital transformation programme that includes digitised civil, land, birth, and death registries.

He said greater information-sharing among government departments should eventually remove the need for citizens to obtain documents from one agency to present to another.

Using a passport application as an example, Roberts said applicants should not have to produce a birth certificate when that information is already held by the government.

He also pointed to the recently approved Digital Transformation Agency legislation, which is intended to coordinate digital projects across government and reduce separate ministries developing incompatible systems.

Roberts said considerable technical and legal work had been required before implementation could begin.

“Grenada is on the cusp of big things happening,” he said. “It took a lot of foundational work, making sure that the technical and legal framework is in place so that implementation can start.”

No further information was provided about the new mobile operator’s coverage plans or commercial launch. Details on the cost, procurement, and final operation of the proposed AI-assisted passenger processing system were also not disclosed.

Whittaker: Traditional media must uphold standards amid social media challenges

by Michael Bascombe

KINGSTON, Jamaica, July 25, 2026 – Veteran Caribbean sports broadcaster Lance Whittaker believes traditional media organisations must adapt to changing audience habits while continuing to uphold high standards of accuracy and reliability.

Whittaker, appearing on the TalkSports programme on Saturday, said television, radio, and newspapers are facing increased competition as more people turn to social media and other digital platforms for news and information.

“Traditional media is facing a challenge now because I don’t think the percentage of people viewing any major seven o’clock television news in the evening is the same now as it was 40 years ago,” Whittaker said.

“A lot of people now depend on social media for their news, so that’s a challenge for traditional media.”

Despite the changing media environment, Whittaker said traditional outlets have a greater responsibility to maintain their professional standards, particularly when information circulated on social media is not always properly verified.

“Traditional media has to recognise that it has to uphold its high standards and protocols regarding the accuracy and reliability of information because a lot of the social media platforms don’t go through the rigid tests to clarify whether stories are accurate or not,” he said.

Whittaker described the present period as a difficult one for Caribbean media companies, with declining financial returns and the high cost of operating traditional television, radio, and newspaper organisations.

He said he was troubled by the closure of established media entities in the region and questioned whether many private television stations were currently profitable.

“Running a traditional media entity now costs a lot of money, and the financial returns in sales and the commercial returns often don’t match the income of the company,” Whittaker said.

“So, it really is treacherous times for traditional media.”

Whittaker said many broadcasters and journalists are now creating their own podcasts, YouTube channels, and other independent digital platforms.

He believes media professionals must be prepared to adjust to the changing industry rather than resist the opportunities provided by new technology.

“We may be a little bit stubborn if we don’t recognise that we have to pivot a bit and do some of that,” he said.

Whittaker said he had also made that transition following the closure of SportsMax, where he worked, in July last year. He now uses a YouTube page (Lance Whittaker Voice & Motion) to publish his horse-racing content.

“A lot of people are doing that now because, depending on how committed and diligent you are with it, it is a source of income as well,” he said.

Whittaker noted that television has been especially affected because of the high cost of broadcasting, while radio may be in a slightly better position because it is less expensive to operate.

He said some state-owned media organisations continue to receive government funding, but private companies are finding it increasingly difficult to remain viable.

“For me, it’s very troubling, but we have to keep pushing on because I’m passionate about media,” Whittaker said.

“I think it’s important for the media houses to tighten their grip on what’s happening and try to stay afloat and flourish even.”

Watch the entire programme 

West Indies’ batting decline painful to watch, says Whittaker

by Michael Bascombe

KINGSTON, Jamaica, July 25, 2026 – Veteran Caribbean sports broadcaster Lance Whittaker says the continued decline in the quality of West Indies batting is heartbreaking and painful to watch, particularly for those who witnessed the team’s dominance during the 1970s and 1980s.

Whittaker, speaking on the TalkSports programme on Saturday, was responding to concerns about the West Indies’ batting during the 2025 Pakistan tour and the team’s repeated difficulty in reaching 200 runs.

“I started broadcasting in 1984. In 1984, Clive Lloyd was the West Indies captain, and he transitioned to Viv Richards being the West Indies captain,” Whittaker said.

“At the time, the West Indies were unquestionably the best team in the world.”

Whittaker noted that some sports researchers consider the West Indies team of the late 1970s and 1980s to be among the greatest teams in the history of sport.

“So, to see the West Indies going from that position in the 80s and early 90s to where we are now, it is heartbreaking. It really, really is heartbreaking,” he said.

Whittaker, who has worked in sports broadcasting for 42 years, said he has covered West Indies cricket throughout its decline and believes the region’s batting skills have deteriorated significantly over the past three to four decades.

He recalled discussing the issue with former Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur, who believed that West Indies batsmen had lost the art of batting.

“When he started to see West Indies’ batters looking uncomfortable against short-pitched bowling, it grieved his heart,” Whittaker said.

“In the days back in the seventies and eighties, you bowled short to Roy Fredericks and so on, and spectators would be picking the ball up in the stands.”

Whittaker said many current West Indies batsmen appear uncomfortable against short-pitched and high-quality pace bowling. He added that they also struggle when facing quality spin bowling.

“Our batting quality has just gone down significantly,” he said.

The Jamaican broadcaster also pointed to concerns about pitches, the attractiveness of the regional cricket product, and the level of financial investment in the sport.

He said the infrastructure and facilities used to develop Caribbean cricketers have not kept pace with those available in India, Australia, England, South Africa, and other leading cricket nations.

“Those are problems that need to be fixed because, if they aren’t, we will continue to see the West Indies struggling at the bottom of the table,” Whittaker said.

“What is happening now in West Indies cricket is very, very painful to watch, especially from someone who had seen when we were at the top - and not just at the top, but invincibly at the top.”

Whittaker said Caribbean people took tremendous pride in the successful West Indies teams of that period and described the current difficulty in scoring 200 runs in an international innings as troubling.

“I know people will say maybe sometimes the pitches are affecting the batting performances, but when you have quality as a batsman, you adjust to the conditions, and you find a way to make runs,” he said.

Watch the entire programme 

Whittaker calls for a regional training programme for sports journalists

by Michael Bascombe

KINGSTON, Jamaica, July 25, 2026 – Veteran Caribbean sports broadcaster Lance Whittaker has called for the establishment of a regional training programme to develop young and aspiring sports journalists throughout the Caribbean.

Whittaker, who appeared on the TalkSports programme on Saturday, said such an initiative could draw on the knowledge and experience of established journalists and broadcasters while providing participants with clear professional standards.

“Yes, I think it would help because there are a lot of people who have a lot to contribute to something like that,” Whittaker said.

The Jamaican broadcaster has spent 42 years in the profession and believes his experience could be useful in helping to prepare the next generation of Caribbean sports journalists.

“As I said, I’ve been in it for 42 years now. I’m semi-retired at the moment, if you want to call it that, and I think I can offer a lot if I were to be a part of a programme training young or budding sports journalists throughout the region,” he said.

Whittaker suggested that the programme should have an established structure, with guidelines and standards covering the various areas of sports broadcasting and journalism.

He said that while there is considerable talent across the region, many young journalists need proper guidance and opportunities to develop their abilities.

“Being guided by a fixed programme that sets the guidelines and the standards by which sports broadcasting should be followed, I think it’s necessary, and I think it would be beneficial,” Whittaker said.

“I don’t think anyone could argue that having something like that throughout the region would not help significantly because there are a lot of talented people who just need to be nurtured and guided in the right direction.”

Whittaker said a coordinated regional approach could help improve the overall standard of sports coverage and ensure that developing journalists are better prepared for the demands of the profession.

“I would suggest that would be a good plan,” he said.

Watch the entire programme 

CARICOM intervention must be the start of a wider sports commitment

by Michael Bascombe

The confirmation that Guyana will host the 2027 CARIFTA Games and Barbados the 2028 edition is welcome news. It ends uncertainty and signals that CARICOM leaders are beginning to recognise that regional sport cannot be limited to cricket.

The Heads of Government deserve to be commended for responding quickly after NACAC Athletics appealed for help. But this intervention must be the start of a wider commitment, not an emergency measure to rescue one championship.

Sport needs a permanent seat at the regional discussion table. The Caribbean cannot continue to speak about youth development, public health, education, tourism, and economic opportunity while treating sport as an occasional item, raised only when a crisis develops.

NACAC President Mike Sands said the appeal to CARICOM stressed the urgent need for a host and the wider value of sport to the region’s young people. During Thursday’s media briefing, he did not identify the messenger, but hinted that NACAC had found an emissary. He said one territory had been prepared to host, without giving details.

That naturally raises the question: did Grenada help convince regional leaders that the CARIFTA Games must remain on the calendar?

The timing is difficult to ignore. Against that background, it is fair to ask whether Grenada played a part in bringing the matter to the attention of CARICOM leaders. Having hosted the Games twice in three years, including the 2026 edition at short notice, Grenada understood both their importance and the growing burden placed on smaller host countries.

Although no details have been made public about how the issue reached the CARICOM conference room, the timing and the outcome leave the impression that Grenada may have helped convince regional leaders that the CARIFTA Games must remain firmly on the regional sporting calendar.

CARICOM Heads should now mandate their respective sports ministers to develop a sustainable regional framework with NACAC and other sporting organisations. That discussion should address host rotation, government guarantees, facilities, travel costs, broadcast opportunities, athlete welfare, and long-term financing.

Football, cricket, basketball, boxing, swimming, netball, the Olympic movement, and other regional bodies should also be invited into the conversation. The problems facing CARIFTA are not unique to athletics.

Guyana and Barbados have secured the immediate future of the Games. CARICOM must now help secure the wider future of Caribbean sport.

Debellotte says school systems must better support sporting development

by Michael Bascombe 

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, July 12, 2026 - Former Grenada national football coach Ali Debellotte believes the country's education system needs to do more to support the development of young athletes, arguing that many promising footballers are being lost because they are unable to combine their studies with sport.

Debellotte made the comments during an appearance on the TalkSports programme on Saturday while discussing lessons Caribbean countries can learn from the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

He said the development of football begins in the schools and that the present structure is limiting opportunities for many talented players.

"I think Caribbean football has to shift, and it comes from school. It comes from school in Grenada," he said.

Using the T.A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) as an example, Debellotte said he has observed talented footballers who are enrolled in academic programmes that do not include sport, preventing them from representing the institution.

"There are several sports programmes at TAMCC, but students are placed according to the subjects they are studying," he said. "You see these guys who are playing good football, but they are in another class where they don't have to do sport."

He questioned why national players attending the college were not automatically involved in its sporting programme.

"Here you are with two or three national players at TAMCC, but they are not in the sports programme. I ask them why they are not playing football, and they tell me, 'Coach, we are not in that programme.'"

Debellotte believes the situation has had an impact on the progression of players through Grenada's national youth teams.

He pointed to the country's Under-15 programme, noting that many of the players identified four years ago have not progressed to the Under-19 national team.

"When you look at the Under-15 team from four years ago, only two or three of those players are on the Under-19 team. Something has to be wrong," he said.

"You play Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17, and then you can't make the Under-19 team."

According to Debellotte, one of the reasons is that students are increasingly forced to prioritise academics over sport.

"More emphasis is on school and no more on the playing," he said.

He questioned why other countries have found ways to combine education and sport successfully while Grenada and other Caribbean nations continue to struggle.

"All around the world they seem to be able to match education and sport, but we can't do it in Grenada, or maybe in most of the Caribbean islands," he said. "Some of the problems we have in sport today, I could tell you, in Grenada, it starts in the school."

Debellotte believes that unless young athletes are given greater opportunities to continue their sporting development while pursuing their education, Grenada will continue to face challenges in producing players capable of progressing through the national ranks.

Watch the entire programme 

CARICOM cannot afford to keep Sport on the sidelines

by Michael Bascombe

As Caribbean Heads of Government meet in St Lucia for the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, they do so at a moment when the world is once again witnessing the extraordinary power of sport.

The FIFA World Cup has captured the imagination of millions, including throughout the Caribbean. Beyond the excitement of goals, flags and national pride, the tournament reminds us of the enormous social, cultural and economic value of sport. It drives tourism, media, business, employment, national branding and youth aspiration. The Caribbean may not be in a position to stage an event of that scale, but we should not miss the larger lesson: sport is not merely entertainment. It is development.

That is why sport, in general and not just cricket, should have a meaningful place on the CARICOM agenda.

The qualification of Haiti and Curaçao among the 48 teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup should be a powerful signal to the region. Haiti’s presence, despite the country’s immense national challenges, is a reminder of the hope, resilience and pride that sport can generate. Curaçao’s historic achievement shows that small Caribbean nations, when properly organised and supported, can compete successfully on the world stage.

But the argument extends well beyond football. Caribbean athletes continue to distinguish themselves in international track and field, while encouraging progress is being made in cycling, swimming, boxing, netball, basketball, volleyball and other disciplines. Too often, these successes are achieved despite weak systems, limited funding, irregular competition, and insufficient athlete support.

Governments across the region have invested in stadiums, tracks, courts and other facilities. That investment is important. However, infrastructure alone cannot transform sport. Facilities must be supported by clear policies, school and community programmes, coaching development, sports science, athlete welfare, regional competitions, private-sector partnerships and stronger use of the Caribbean diaspora.

Sport can help reduce youth vulnerability, improve public health, strengthen national identity, expand economic opportunity and deepen regional integration. It deserves to be treated as a serious pillar of development.

CARICOM must therefore move sport from the margins to the centre of regional planning. The Caribbean has the talent, the passion, the history and the global presence. What is now required is political will, coordinated policy and sustained investment. 

Bruno-Victor calls for greater investment in regional sport as OECS Championships return

by Michael Bascombe

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, July 4, 2026 - Vice-President of PanAm Sports, Veda Bruno-Victor, has urged Caribbean governments and regional leaders to prioritise sport on the development agenda, warning that the high cost of regional travel continues to limit opportunities for athletes across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Speaking during Saturday's opening ceremony of the revived Association of National Olympic Committees of the OECS (ANOCES) OECS Track and Field Championships in St Kitts and Nevis, Bruno-Victor said expensive inter-island travel remains one of the greatest barriers to athlete development and regional competition.

She explained that the issue emerged repeatedly during discussions with National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from across the Caribbean at the start of the current Olympic quadrennial in 2025.

"One issue was consistently raised by the members of the OECS National Olympic Committees - the lack of regular regional competition across many sports," she said.

According to Bruno-Victor, the financial burden associated with international competition prevents many athletes from competing regularly, gaining valuable experience, and improving their international rankings.

"The high cost of international participation often limits our athletes' opportunities to compete, gain valuable experience and improve their international rankings," she said. "Without these opportunities, many talented athletes are placed at a disadvantage when preparing for major international competitions."

She noted that discussions among the NOCs also highlighted the important role that former regional competitions played in developing sporting excellence while strengthening relationships among the islands.

"It was recognised that the OECS once hosted regional competitions that played a significant role in developing sporting excellence and strengthening the bonds among our islands," Bruno-Victor said. "The members expressed a strong desire to see these Games revived, and PanAm Sports was proud to support that vision."

She described the return of the championships as the revival of an important sporting tradition that has inspired generations of Caribbean athletes.

"These Games have inspired generations, showcased extraordinary talent, and united a Caribbean family through the power of sport," she said.

While celebrating the return of the championships, Bruno-Victor urged regional policymakers not to overlook the logistical challenges that continue to hinder sporting development.

"Limited inter-island transportation, lengthy travel times and the high cost of regional travel remain significant obstacles to athlete development and regional competition," she said.

She appealed to governments throughout the OECS to recognise sport as a strategic investment rather than simply a recreational activity.

"Investment in sport is not simply an investment in competition," Bruno-Victor told the ceremony. "It is an investment in our youth, our health, our economies and our future. Sport promotes tourism, creates opportunities, builds national pride and strengthens regional integration in ways few other sectors can achieve."

Bruno-Victor reaffirmed PanAm Sports' commitment to supporting the continued growth of sport throughout the Caribbean and the OECS, expressing hope that the return of regular regional competition will provide athletes with greater opportunities to develop and succeed on the international stage.

IOC and ICC accept CWI’s proposal for regional qualifier

 

by Keith Joseph – CANOC, President

The doors to LA28 have just been swung open for individual Cricket West Indies countries to qualify for the 34th edition of the Summer Olympics, scheduled for Los Angeles, California, USA, July 14 - 30, 2028.

The International Olympic Committee has released the qualification system for cricket teams for LA2028. The Caribbean option rests with the following regulations as per the ‘Final Olympic Global Qualification Tournament (FO GQT)’, which states:

‘The following teams will qualify for the Final Olympic Global Qualification Tournament (FOGQT):

• The next eight highest -ranked eligible teams not yet qualified, based on the ICC Men’s T20 Team Rankings;

If the West Indies is ranked among the eight highest -ranked teams not yet qualified, the ICC shall organise a West Indies Nations Regional Tournament to determine which NOC will represent the region at the Final Global Olympic Qualification Tournament.

 

‘The West Indies, as a composite ICC member representing multiple Caribbean nations and not recognised as an IOC NOC, is ineligible to participate in the Olympic Games or to obtain a quota place. It comprises the following NOCs: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands,

Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the US Virgin Islands, which do not compete individually in ICC events.’

In April/May 2025, Cricket West Indies (CWI) wrote to the International Cricket Council (ICC) offering options for consideration and has continued to lobby to ensure the inclusion of its member countries in the process.

Since the submission, CWI has been anxious to receive news from the ICC about its own acceptance and that of the IOC. In the meantime, CWI and CANOC have been engaged in a joint effort at ensuring that all members of CWI seek individual membership of their respective National Olympic Committees (NOC).

This has since been achieved, and has smoothed the path to the significant milestone that has been announced by the IOC, the ICC and which CWI and all of CANOC are celebrating.

We have all been aware that during the period of the West Indies Federation, the West Indies Olympic Association was formed on 29 July 1958 and recognised by the IOC in the same year.

The members were  Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turks and Caicos Islands. 

The Association had athletes participate in the Pan American Games in Chicago, Illinois in 1959 and a year later, at the Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy. With the onset of Independence across the English-speaking Caribbean, the Association was dissolved and each independent nation then successfully applied for and gained membership of the IOC. The IOC Olympic Charter only recognises individual NOCs as having the legitimate right to send representative teams to the quadrennial Olympics.

CANOC extends sincere congratulations to CWI and to all our NOCs with national Cricket Associations that are now eligible to contest for a place in the sport’s return to the Summer Olympics in 2028.

Uncertainty continues over host for 2027 CARIFTA Games

by Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK, May 31, 2026 - Uncertainty continues to surround the hosting of the 2027 CARIFTA Games, with unconfirmed reports suggesting that NACAC may reopen the bidding process after prospective hosts have not yet secured the required government guarantees.

The reports come as the North American, Central American, and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) continues its search for a host nation for the region's premier junior track and field championships.

NACAC President Mike Sands, speaking during a brief appearance on Saturday's edition of TalkSports, confirmed that no host has yet been approved but assured the athletics community that an announcement would be made as soon as a decision is reached.

"Trust me, as soon as I get the word, the whole family of CARIFTA and the diaspora, and everybody else will know because that's our premier event," Sands said. "That won't be any secret. We won't keep that a secret. Trust me."

Sands explained that following discussions at the NACAC Congress held in Grenada during the 2026 CARIFTA Games, member federations interested in hosting the 2027 edition were invited to submit bids accompanied by letters of guarantee from their respective governments.

Although NACAC had initially hoped to identify a host by the end of April, the process has been delayed.

Both Saint Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago expressed interest in staging the championships. However, according to Sands, neither federation has yet secured the required government guarantee.

The CARIFTA Games is NACAC's flagship developmental competition and annually showcases the Caribbean's top junior athletes, many of whom go on to represent the region at major international championships, including the Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports indicate that NACAC is being urged to reopen the bidding process to all member federations as efforts continue to secure a host for the 2027 Games.

NACAC commends T&R Communications for CARIFTA Games production

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE'S, Grenada, May 31, 2026 - The North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) has publicly commended Grenada-based T&R Communications for its television and streaming production of the 2026 CARIFTA Games held at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium from April 4-6.

NACAC President Mike Sands used a surprise call-in during Saturday's edition of TalkSports to congratulate T&R Communications CEO Ritchie Ollivierre on what he described as a highly professional production, despite the company being engaged on relatively short notice.

"I couldn't let this opportunity go by without taking advantage of the opportunity to commend Ritchie on the work that he'd done. Professional par excellence," Sands said.

He acknowledged that there were initial challenges in organising the broadcast but noted that NACAC ultimately assumed responsibility for the production and later engaged T&R Communications to deliver the event.

"I only wish, and I can say this publicly, that we had started down that path earlier because in the short space of time that we were able to come to an understanding of what was needed, he was able to pull it all together. So I can't imagine what will happen with longer planning," Sands added.

According to the NACAC President, the broadcast reached audiences around the world, generating significant viewership through various platforms.

"With FloSports alone, we had 2.1 million total impressions across all platforms. We had sessions where we had 551,000 people viewing. That's in Europe. FloSports covers the United States and Canada, and I don't yet have the numbers for the Caribbean," he said.

Sands credited much of the success to Ollivierre and his team.

"All of that would not have been possible without the professionalism of Ritchie and how he was able to make things happen. NACAC is looking forward to a continuous collaboration, this time with more long-range planning. Congratulations again on a job well done."

Responding to the commendation, Ollivierre thanked NACAC for the opportunity and confidence shown in his company.

"Thank you, Mike, and thank you too for the confidence you all placed in me to get this done. It has done a world of good for T&R Communications, and we look forward to working with NACAC in the future," he said.

 

Caribbean countries face uphill battle for Olympic Cricket Qualification

by Michael Bascombe

CASTRIES, ST LUCIA, May 27, 2026 – Alfred Emmanuel believes Caribbean nations could face a major disadvantage when cricket returns to the Olympic Games at the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Speaking on Saturday’s TalkSports programme, the President of the St Lucia Olympic Committee (SLOC) Inc. cautioned that many Caribbean people may not fully understand the qualification challenges facing the region under the Olympic structure.

“There is a lot of misconception with cricket now being an Olympic sport, and cricket will be in LA in 2028,” Emmanuel explained.

Cricket is scheduled to make its Olympic return in Los Angeles after an absence of more than a century, with the Twenty20 format expected to be used during the Games.

However, Emmanuel pointed out that, unlike international cricket competitions where Caribbean territories compete collectively under the banner of the Cricket West Indies, Olympic competition rules require nations to participate separately as independent countries.

“We must recognise the fact that we from the Caribbean are coming in at a very big disadvantage, unlike the countries that are there as nations in their own right,” he said.

“Remember in the West Indies, we play as a united front - several countries coming together to play under the banner of Cricket West Indies. That will not be happening in Los Angeles.”

His comments highlight one of the major concerns already being discussed throughout Caribbean sporting circles since cricket’s inclusion was confirmed for LA 2028.

Under Olympic rules, countries such as Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia, and Grenada would need to qualify independently rather than collectively as the West Indies.

Emmanuel suggested that qualification opportunities could also be extremely limited.

“When you follow the roadmap, I can safely say that it will be extremely, extremely, extremely difficult for us in the Caribbean - any of us in the Caribbean - fielding a team in LA,” he declared.

The veteran sports administrator noted that the United States, as host nation, is widely expected to secure automatic qualification, reducing the number of remaining available places.

“The United States, which is the host of LA, would get, I suspect, an automatic qualification for cricket,” Emmanuel said.

“That would now leave us, as I said, at a disadvantage because I think they’re only going with about eight nations for the cricket in LA.”

His remarks are likely to intensify ongoing regional discussions about whether Caribbean governments, cricket authorities, and Olympic committees should begin exploring long-term strategies for Olympic cricket participation.

Observers have already suggested that qualification structures could place smaller Caribbean nations at a severe competitive disadvantage against larger cricket-playing countries with deeper player pools and independent international rankings.

Alfred Emmanuel says CARICOM has "failed" Caribbean sport on regional travel

by Michael Bascombe

CASTRIES, ST LUCIA, May 27, 2026 – Alfred Emmanuel has delivered a blunt assessment of the role being played by CARICOM in the development of Caribbean sport, accusing the regional body of failing athletes and sporting organisations on one of the region’s most persistent issues - inter-island travel.

Speaking during Saturday’s edition of the TalkSports programme, the President of the St Lucia Olympic Committee (SLOC) Inc. expressed frustration over the longstanding transportation difficulties that continue to affect regional competitions, athlete movement, and sports development across the Caribbean.

Travel within the Caribbean has for years been regarded as one of the major obstacles facing sporting organisations, with athletes, teams, and federations frequently forced to navigate expensive airfares, limited flight options, complicated transit routes, and inconsistent regional transportation systems.

Asked whether CARICOM and regional sporting federations could work together more effectively to improve travel throughout the region, Emmanuel did not hide his disappointment.

“Well, CARICOM… I’ve had my battles with CARICOM,” he said.

“And I would be foolish not to make public what I would have told the CARICOM persons in private.”

The veteran sports administrator then delivered his strongest criticism of the interview.

“CARICOM has failed us - and failed us miserably - when it comes to sport and sport development,” Emmanuel declared.

His remarks are likely to resonate with many sporting stakeholders throughout the region who have repeatedly voiced concerns about the impact poor transportation links continue to have on Caribbean sport.

For decades, regional administrators have argued that high travel costs and limited connectivity undermine efforts to organise sustainable youth competitions, leagues, championships, and athlete exchange programmes among Caribbean territories.

Emmanuel suggested that solving the issue ultimately requires greater political commitment and a stronger appreciation for sport at the policy-making level.

“I think it has to do with the mindset of politicians,” he stated.

The SLOC President expressed particular disappointment that even former athletes who transition into political leadership positions often appear reluctant to publicly champion sports development issues once in government.

“At times you sit and wonder - wasn’t this guy a national athlete in this sport or that sport?” Emmanuel asked.

“Wasn’t this young lady an athlete in this sport or that sport?”

Yet, according to Emmanuel, many of those same individuals become noticeably silent on sports matters after entering politics.

“Now that they’re in a position to really drive the process, they’re somewhat lost within the whole process,” he argued.

“You’re not hearing the voices. You’re not seeing the public pronouncements as to what they believe should be done.”

The veteran administrator said he remains uncertain why sport often appears to lose priority status once individuals assume political office.

“To me, once you’ve entered the classroom of the politician, I think then sport is really not on the front burner,” Emmanuel remarked.

His comments come amid continuing calls across the Caribbean for improved regional transportation systems, greater government collaboration, and stronger policy support for sport as both a developmental and economic sector.

Lessons from Grenada’s 2026 Penn Relays experience

by Michael Bascombe

Grenada’s participation in the 2026 staging of the Penn Relays once again emphasised both the immense value and the undeniable challenges of competing on one of track and field’s most prestigious high school stages.

No question, exposing our young athletes to competition beyond the Inter-Secondary Schools’ Athletics Championships (Intercol) is a step in the right direction. The Penn Relays is an institution that tests not only speed and strength, but discipline, preparation, and the ability to perform under global scrutiny.

However, participation at that level demands far more than enthusiasm; it requires early planning, structured preparation, and strategic partnerships.

The reality is simple. The Penn Relays does not accommodate late decisions.

With the 2027 edition already set for April 22–24, and registration codes typically distributed by February, schools have a clear window to begin preparations. That preparation must include early confirmation of intent (by September–October), structured training cycles aligned with peak performance in April, visa application timelines, fundraising strategies, and travel logistics and accommodation planning.

Too often, ambition is present, but execution falls short due to late starts.

One of the most underutilised advantages available to Grenadian schools is access to experienced individuals such as Phil Zodda.

With his deep understanding of the US high school system and direct ties to Grenadian athletes, including past connections to figures like Dr Sean Lambert and Lee Cuffie, who he coached at South Shore High School in Brooklyn, NY, Zodda represents a bridge between local ambition and international standards.

Engaging expertise like his could help navigate Penn Relays qualification and registration processes, understand event standards and expectations, structure relay teams and baton exchange strategies, and build relationships with US-based meets and institutions.

This type of collaboration should not be optional; it should be institutionalised.

The continued participation of the Grenada Boys' Secondary School (GBSS) must be commended, particularly given the logistical and financial burdens often carried by the Alumni International Foundation (AIF).

However, participation alone is not enough. There must be a deliberate effort to conduct post-event reviews (technical and administrative), build a multi-year participation plan, and develop a sustainable funding model beyond emergency fundraising.

A critical lesson from recent participation is that reliance solely on alumni support and last-minute sponsorship is not sustainable. Grenadian schools must develop their own structured, local fundraising programmes to complement external assistance.

This can include annual school track meets or relay festivals as revenue-generating events, community fun runs and sports days involving parents and alumni, corporate sponsorship packages tied to school athletic programmes, crowdfunding campaigns targeting the Grenadian diaspora, and merchandise sales (team apparel, memorabilia) linked to major competitions.

Fundraising should not begin weeks before departure; it should be a year-round, organised effort embedded within the school’s athletic programme.

By creating consistent revenue streams, schools can better manage costs associated with travel, uniforms, equipment, and preparation, while reducing the pressure on alumni bodies like the AIF.

If Grenadian schools are serious about sustained participation at the Penn Relays and similar high-level competitions, several measures should be considered.

There is a strong case for establishing a National Schools International Competition Calendar to identify key meets such as the Penn Relays, Florida Relays, and regional invitationals. This would allow for coordinated planning and reduce duplication of effort.

Additionally, a centralised support unit, possibly in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports, could assist schools with documentation, visa guidance, registration processes, and travel coordination.

Given that the Penn Relays is built on relays, schools must also invest in baton exchange clinics, specialised relay coaching, and maintaining consistent relay team combinations. Beyond the Penn Relays, schools should actively pursue participation in smaller US invitationals, Caribbean meets, and exchange programmes with US high schools.

Equally important is athlete readiness. Preparation must extend beyond physical training to include mental conditioning, understanding travel expectations, media engagement, and maintaining academic eligibility.

Perhaps one of the most important areas requiring urgent attention is talent identification.

GBSS once led the way in scouting athletes at the primary school level, a system that helped build generations of elite performers. That tradition must be revived.

Other institutions such as Presentation Brothers' College (PBC), Boca Secondary School, and St Andrew's Anglican Secondary School (SAASS) have already recognised the value of early recruitment, actively identifying and nurturing talent from both primary and private schools.

GBSS must re-enter that space, not as a reaction, but as a structured programme.

Previous Story: Grenadians shine and struggle at Penn Relays finale in Philadelphia

Sports set to face biggest test

by Keith Joseph

Over the past several months, the immigration policies of the United States have changed significantly, to the extent that those seeking visas from almost any country may be more concerned than ever before in history about their chances of being successful.

Perhaps, more than anything else, is the reality that it is almost impossible to predict the nature of policy changes, as well as what can give cause for the changes, and uncertainty as to when such changes may be announced and enforced.

At the time of writing this piece, the next edition of the quadrennial FIFA World Cup is scheduled to begin in Mexico City, Mexico, in 48 days, with host Mexico taking on South Africa. Matches are scheduled for Canada and the USA in addition to Mexico.

FIFA remains tentative on precisely what, if any, guarantees it is able to give to any of the participating teams. Technical and administrative officials and supporters. At the same time, several citizens from several countries are under total travel bans, while others are under partial bans. Additionally, many countries have also been informed that their citizens are now subject to a bond of $15,000USD when making their applications for visas.

At this point, there remains much uncertainty in respect of whether players of teams that have qualified for the World Cup Finals would be negatively affected and what this would mean for the affected teams. Across FIFA’s membership, there is much to worry about in. the short time left before the first ball kicks off.

Although two years away, the XXXIV edition of the Olympic Games, due to commence on 17 July 2028, is very much under a cloud, much as is the case currently with the FIFA World Cup of 2026. Whilst many of the 205 National Olympic Committees ideally relish Los Angeles’ game-changing traditions when hosting the Summer Olympics, the International Olympic Committee, much like FIFA, must be looking at all possible scenarios in respect of the applicable visa requirements as the Games draw ever nearer.

The fact that the IOC has a recently elected new and first woman President who is still ‘finding her feet and hopeful of establishing her own legacy in the global Olympic Movement, does not make it any easier for all those nations whose athletes are in preparation for the world’s biggest sporting spectacle.
 
At this juncture in world history, while both the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games have had their fair number of critical challenges, the likes of what they are currently facing has never featured in the manner in which they find themselves today. Indeed, the world has never faced a near-crippling situation in respect of global travel as is the case today.

One clearly understands the rapidly changing geo-politics of the contemporary, which has many nations and their economies at their mercy. But the uncertainty that exists and for the immediate future, international sport will face its toughest test. This is not to say that we cannot overcome the challenges as has been the case throughout history. The current situation, however, has the potential to push two of the world’s most lucrative and exciting sporting spectacles to bankruptcy, whilst significantly upturning them and their own perceived places in global dynamics.

One can only hope that cool heads prevail and that all nations that so readily sign on to the Olympic Truce and extol the powerful virtues of sport on humanity, would come together is a major initiative that can literally allow sport perhaps its best chance to ‘change the world’. The Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) is counting on this.

Keith Joseph is the President of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) 

PM Dickon Mitchell Announces Plans for Artificial Track at Progress Park

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, April 9, 2026 - Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has announced plans to install an artificial athletics track at Progress Park in St Andrew, as part of the government’s continued investment in grassroots sports development.

Speaking to GrenadaSports on the final day of the 53rd CARIFTA Games at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium, Mitchell said the initiative is aimed at strengthening the pathway for young athletes across the island.

“We intend to have an artificial track laid at Progress Park,” the Prime Minister revealed. “St Andrew is clearly a mecca for track and field, and we want to ensure that athletes have access to the right facilities to continue their development.”

Mitchell explained that the move forms part of a broader strategy to enhance sporting infrastructure, promote physical activity, and prepare athletes for international competition.

“We are making sure that conditions mirror international standards as early as possible,” he said. “When our athletes transition to the national stadium, to CARIFTA, and beyond, they are already accustomed to that level.”

The Prime Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to upgrade playing fields across Grenada, including the installation of lighting to encourage community use.

“It’s about more than competition,” he noted. “We want families to come out, exercise, and engage in healthy lifestyles. That is important for national development.”

Reflecting on the successful staging of the CARIFTA Games, Mitchell praised the collective effort that made the 2026 edition possible.

“The crowds grew every day, which shows that people are enjoying the event,” he said. “I want to thank the volunteers, sponsors, officials, and everyone involved in delivering what has been an amazing Games.”

Beyond infrastructure, Mitchell emphasised the importance of a holistic approach to athlete development, including nutrition, coaching, and structured support systems.

“We must pay attention to nutrition and ensure our coaches are continuously trained and upgraded,” he said. “We also need strong club systems to support athletes transitioning out of secondary school.”

He pointed to the role of the National Sports Council and the Ministry of Youth and Sports in building a sustainable framework for long-term success.

“We now have a structure in place to support our athletes beyond the school system,” Mitchell added.

On the performance side, the Prime Minister expressed confidence in the region’s athletic potential, describing the Caribbean as a global powerhouse in track and field.

“The talent is there,” he said. “I believe the Caribbean has the highest concentration of track and field talent per capita in the world.”

Mitchell also acknowledged the inspiration provided by national icons such as Kirani James, noting their impact on the next generation of athletes.

As for Grenada’s future as a host nation, the Prime Minister struck a balanced tone, supporting wider regional participation while remaining proud of the country’s recent achievements.

“We’ve done our part in hosting, and other countries deserve the opportunity as well,” he said. “But we will continue to support the development of athletics across the Caribbean.”

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Pay the Coaches: Pauline Davis Calls for Urgent Reform to Support Inner-City Talent

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, April 9, 2026 - Double Olympic champion Pauline Davis has issued a passionate call for Caribbean athletics federations to take responsibility for paying coaches, warning that many talented young athletes, particularly from inner-city communities, are being left behind due to financial constraints.

Speaking during the 53rd CARIFTA Games at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium, the former member of the Bahamas’ famed “Golden Girls” relay team stressed that the current system disproportionately favours families who can afford private coaching.

“I do believe that the coaches should be paid,” Davis said emphatically. “We have to find a way to make sure that coaches are compensated to train these kids. Too many inner-city athletes with talent are being left behind because their parents simply cannot afford the fees.”

Drawing on her own experiences in the Bahamas, Davis highlighted the economic realities facing many families, noting that even basic coaching opportunities can be out of reach for those struggling with the rising cost of living.

“A parent with three children might only be able to support one fully, maybe partially support another, and the third gets very little opportunity,” she explained. “That means gifted athletes are missing out not because of lack of talent, but because of lack of resources.”

Davis, a world junior record holder and the first Caribbean woman to win Olympic sprint gold, said the responsibility must now shift to national federations to ensure equitable access to coaching and development.

“Federations need to take on that task. It cannot just be for kids of means. We must make sure that every talented athlete, especially those from inner-city communities, has access to proper coaching,” she said.

Reflecting on her own journey from Bain Town in the Bahamas to Olympic glory, Davis said her story underscores what is possible when opportunity meets talent.

“Nothing much was expected to come out of Bain Town, but I became a world junior champion and Olympic champion. There are many more like me across the Caribbean; we just have to give them a chance.”

Davis also reflected on the significance of the CARIFTA Games in shaping her career, recalling her early experiences at the championships in the 1980s.

“My first CARIFTA was in 1982 in Jamaica, and I remember being determined to come back stronger. The following year, I won multiple events, and that’s when I was dubbed the ‘Golden Girl.’ CARIFTA has always been a platform for greatness.”

While praising the continued growth of regional athletics, she expressed concern that the sport is becoming increasingly elitist, calling for a collective effort to refocus on grassroots development.

“We need to step back, come together, and figure out how we are going to support these young people, especially those who need it most,” she said.

“We have the talent across the region,” she said. “Now we must be intentional about nurturing it for all, not just a few.”

Davis also commended Grenada for hosting the championships, describing her experience on the island as both enjoyable and inspiring.

“I’m enjoying the people, the excitement, the food. Grenada is a beautiful country with tremendous talent,” she said, adding that her connection with Olympic champion Kirani James, a fellow alumnus of the University of Alabama, made the visit even more special.

Click here to watch the video