GAA has an opportunity to chart a new course

Sports Commentary by Michael Bascombe

The elections are over, and now the real work begins for the newly elected executive of the Grenada Athletics Association (GAA).

Congratulations to President Johnell Mitchell and his team. We wish them well because Grenadian athletics needs them to succeed.

This is an opportunity for a new beginning, not simply a change of names around the executive table, but a different approach to how the sport is administered, how athletes are treated, and how the association communicates with its stakeholders.

Judging from the many comments during Saturday's TalkSports programme, rebuilding trust must be among the new executive's immediate priorities.

Current national athlete Gamali Felix offered perhaps the clearest assessment when he said the GAA needs greater "transparency, accountability, and people who genuinely care about the sport and the athletes."

Felix also pointed to Grenada's talent, facilities, and potential, while calling for clearer communication about funding, development, team selections, and the overall direction of athletics.

Former national athletes Nathaniel Mark and Kim Fullerton expressed similar sentiments. Mark called for "a fresh approach built on openness, accountability, strong leadership," while Fullerton argued that "the same old can't be acceptable."

Those voices should not be ignored or treated as criticism for criticism's sake. They give the new executive an indication of where some of the dissatisfaction exists and, importantly, where the rebuilding process can begin.

Athletes, including those attending high schools and colleges at home and overseas, should feel connected to the GAA throughout the year, not only when national teams are being selected. There have been complaints from athletes about feeling neglected and then suddenly being contacted when their services are required to represent Grenada.

Parents have also used social media to express frustration over communication, the treatment of athletes, and, at times, their interaction with administrators.

That relationship needs attention.

Mitchell now has an opportunity to demonstrate his leadership and establish an administration with its own identity and direction. This is his opportunity to lead, while drawing on the experience and skills of the people elected alongside him.

Governance must also be part of that new direction. The GAA's constitution, by-laws, membership requirements, electoral procedures, and other important documents should be easily accessible. Clubs and affiliates must understand their responsibilities and rights, and communication cannot become something that happens only around elections or major championships.

There are also opportunities beyond administration.

The InterCol Championships provide the GAA with a ready-made platform to strengthen relationships with schools, identify emerging talent, and develop commercial partnerships. Grenadian athletics has a product that corporate Grenada should be encouraged to support, but it must be packaged and managed professionally.

Grenada has produced Olympic champions, world champions, and internationally respected athletes. The administrative structure supporting the sport should aspire to the same standard.

If Mitchell and his executive members can work collectively, put aside egos and past differences, listen to athletes and clubs, and genuinely place development first, the GAA can move along a different trajectory.

And congratulations to everyone who offered themselves for service during the elections. Their expertise should not be lost. There should be opportunities for them to contribute through the GAA's various subcommittees.

The election is finished. Now comes the harder part: rebuilding trust, restoring confidence, and charting a new course for Grenadian athletics.

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.

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.

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) 

Grenada’s Red Walters Climbs World Rankings After Impressive Ride in Santiago

by Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK, March 2, 2026 - Grenadian professional cyclist Red Walters has taken another significant step toward his Olympic ambitions following an impressive series of performances at the Pan-American Track Cycling Championships in Santiago, Chile.

Competing against some of the best riders in the Americas, the United Kingdom-based Walters delivered consistent results across multiple disciplines, highlighting both his growing international competitiveness and his determination to secure qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games.

The Pan-American Championships marked the first major qualifying opportunity on the road toward the 2026 UCI World Championships, an important milestone Walters must achieve as part of his Olympic pathway.

Walters finished 7th in the Scratch Race, 9th in the Points Race, and produced two standout performances with 5th-place finishes in both the Elimination Race and the Omnium, the Olympic discipline, narrowly missing out on a podium position.

Despite falling just short of a medal, Walters viewed the competition as an important breakthrough.

“Of course, I was disappointed not to come away with a medal because I truly felt I was capable of one,” Walters said. “But at the same time, I’m proud to represent Grenada and to deliver strong results against world-class competition.”

The performances proved highly valuable in terms of international ranking points. Following the championships, Walters has climbed to 20th in the global rankings, a remarkable achievement for the Grenadian cyclist as he continues to establish himself among the sport’s elite riders.

“Every race now is part of the bigger picture,” Walters noted. “The goal is the Olympics in 2028, and performances like this show that we are moving in the right direction.”

Walters’ campaign continues later this season with scheduled appearances at upcoming World Cup events in Hong Kong and Malaysia. However, plans to compete in Australia have been affected by ongoing geopolitical tensions linked to the conflict in the Middle East, which have disrupted travel arrangements.

Nevertheless, the Santiago results have reinforced confidence within Walters’ camp that Grenada could soon have representation on cycling’s biggest global stage.

“This is just the beginning of the season,” he said. “I’m focused, motivated, and committed to taking Grenada as far as possible in international cycling.”

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.”

From Pool to PhD: Oreoluwa Cherebin Defends Doctoral Dissertation in the US

by Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK - At just 28, former Grenada and OECS swimming champion Oreoluwa Cherebin has reached another milestone, successfully defending her PhD dissertation in Analytical Chemistry on Tuesday, January 20, at Indiana University in Indianapolis.

Cherebin’s dissertation, titled “Enhanced Paper-Based Electroanalytical Sensors by Leveraging Magnetic Fields,” was presented in the Department of Chemistry and Biology and supervised by her research advisor, Frederique Deiss. The work explored innovative approaches to improving low-cost, portable electroanalytical sensors, with potential applications in health diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and resource-limited settings. Her successful defence earns her the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Analytical Chemistry.

Cherebin’s academic journey began in Grenada at St Joseph’s Convent St George, where she excelled in the classroom, sitting and passing 12 Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) subjects, including an outstanding 11 Grade Ones. That strong academic foundation would later prove critical as she balanced elite sport with higher education.

After secondary school, Cherebin spent just one semester at the T.A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) before taking a bold step abroad. She joined the York YMCA Aquatic Club in Pennsylvania, where she trained at a high-performance level while simultaneously earning college credits. Her performances in the pool and discipline in the classroom soon attracted attention, leading to three scholarship offers. She ultimately chose Fairfield University, where she completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics.

She later earned a Master of Science degree in Analytical Chemistry from Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, before continuing on to doctoral studies.

On the sporting front, Cherebin is one of Grenada’s most decorated swimmers. A product of the local Grenfin Swim Club, she is a CARIFTA, Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships (CISC) and Central American & Caribbean Swimming Confederation (CCCAN) gold medallist and represented Grenada at numerous OECS and Caribbean championships. She also competed on the global stage at the Commonwealth Games, the FINA World Championships, and the Olympic Games—a rare blend of elite international sport and academic excellence.

Cherebin credits swimming with instilling the discipline and resilience that fueled her through demanding lab work and late-night research sessions.

"Swimming taught me discipline and resilience—those same qualities carried me through the long nights in the lab," she said. "I hope young athletes in Grenada and the OECS see that sport doesn’t limit your future; it can actually expand it."

"If my journey shows anything, it’s that you don’t have to choose between academics and athletics—you can strive for excellence in both," Cherebin added.

Her mother, Pamela Cherebin, has long been an advocate for young swimmers and athletes exploring the opportunities sport can provide, while consistently stressing the importance of education. She has cautioned parents that athletic success must be matched by strong academic performance.

She also encouraged parents across Grenada and the OECS to expose children to multiple sporting disciplines at an early age. During her school years, Ore was not limited to swimming alone—she also played netball, football through the Jason Roberts Academy, participated in cycling and triathlon, and even pursued dancing, experiences that helped shape her all-round development.

“Sport can open doors, but education keeps them open. We always made it clear that academics had to come first,” she said. “I encourage parents to let their children try different sports early. You never know where their talent or passion will lead.”

“Opportunities exist, but young athletes must be prepared in the classroom to truly benefit from them," she added.

Time to Honour Sir Kirani James: Grenada’s First Olympic Medallist Nears the Finish Line

SIR KIRANI JAMES

Grenada’s First Olympic Medallist — Our Greatest Legend

by Michael Bascombe 

On Tuesday in Tokyo, Sir Kirani James bowed out of the men’s 400 metres at the semi-final stage of the World Athletics Championships, marking what may well be the end of an extraordinary era. It was his seventh appearance at the World Championships, spanning a career defined not only by medals but also by resilience, humility, and national pride. 

The one championship he missed, in 2017, was due to his battle with Graves’ disease — a fight that made his subsequent return to the podium even more remarkable.

Sir Kirani’s journey has been nothing short of historic. As Grenada’s first-ever Olympic medallist, he blazed the trail for the nation on the global stage. His golden moment in London 2012, silver in Rio 2016, and bronze in Tokyo 2020 placed him among the rare group of athletes to secure the complete set of Olympic medals in a single event. He also completed the triple in the World Championships, winning gold in Daegu in 2011, silver in Eugene in 2022, and bronze in the Beijing event in 2015.

His success has since been joined by fellow Grenadians Anderson Peters, who won a bronze medal in the javelin at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and Lindon Victor, who won a bronze medal in the decathlon at the same event. Together, they have elevated Grenada into the ranks of nations with multiple Olympic medallists — a remarkable achievement for a small island state.

But this is not about retirement. It is about being proactive and intentional. Every great athlete eventually transitions, and when Sir Kirani makes that decision, Grenada must be ready. The Government of Grenada, the Grenada Athletic Association (GAA), and the Grenada Olympic Committee (GOC) should begin planning now for an official farewell worthy of his stature. Celebrations of this kind are not only a fitting tribute but also a source of inspiration for the next generation of Grenadian athletes.

Why Planning Must Begin Now

1. Preserving Legacy with Intention
   Sir Kirani’s career has already been written into history books, but without a carefully orchestrated farewell, the recognition may feel incomplete. An official programme of appreciation ensures his story is properly told and preserved — from “Gun Battle” to the Olympic stadiums of the world.
2. Inspiring the Next Wave of Athletes
   His path opened the doors for Peters and Victor, and the next generation is already watching. Grand farewells have ripple effects. Botswana’s Isaac Makwala and South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk helped transition their nations’ 400m programmes by staying involved in relays and mentoring. Both nations now boast a surge of quarter-milers inspired by their heroes’ transition. Grenada can achieve the same, especially if Sir Kirani is encouraged to lead mixed relay teams or guide younger sprinters through his vast experience.
3. National Unity and Pride
   Grenadians everywhere — at home and in the diaspora — see Sir Kirani as more than an athlete. He is a unifying symbol of resilience and excellence. A carefully staged farewell offers the nation a chance to come together in collective gratitude, showcasing Grenada’s pride to the world.
4. Maximising Global Visibility
   Formal recognition for Sir Kirani, timed with his final competitions or retirement announcement, would attract international attention. This spotlight offers opportunities to promote Grenada not only as the home of a global champion but also as a sporting nation poised to nurture future talent.

While he continues to compete on the international circuit, the focus should now shift toward transitional events — including relays, mentorship, and ambassadorial roles. These are not downgrades but natural evolutions for an athlete whose presence alone elevates every team and competition.

Grenada owes it to itself, and to Sir Kirani, to ensure the next steps are deliberate, celebratory, and enduring.

When the curtain finally falls, it must do so with a national farewell befitting the greatest athlete the island has ever produced, who inspired Peters, Victor, and generations yet to come.

PHOTO CREDITS: Haron Forteau Media

Grenada celebrates Kirani James Day — honouring an Olympic champion and national hero

 

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, September 1, 2025 — Grenada today celebrates Kirani James Day, a national tribute to Olympic champion and hero Sir Kirani James, whose remarkable achievements have cemented his place in the history of global athletics.

The annual observance, held on September 1 to mark his birthday, honours the legacy of the 400-metre sprinter who remains Grenada’s only Olympic medalist. James’s career includes an unprecedented collection of medals in the men’s 400m: gold in London 2012, silver in Rio 2016, and bronze in Tokyo 2020. He is among the rare few athletes worldwide to win all three Olympic medals in a single track event.

Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, in extending congratulations, said:

"Your journey has always been bigger than medals and titles; it is a story of humility, perseverance, and representing Grenada with unmatched pride."

Sir Kirani remains a source of pride for Grenadians everywhere, embodying values of resilience, discipline, and humility. 

As Grenada reflects on its journey, Kirani James Day serves as both a celebration of the past and an inspiration for the future of athletics in the nation.

Members of Grenada's Olympic Team in London

Olympic coverage to get Caribbean flavour

Lance Whittaker

BY NEKIESHA REID Business reporter/Jamaica Observer

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

THIS year's TV coverage of the Olympics will be the first to focus mainly on Caribbean athletes without the usual "American bias". International Media Content (IMC), parent company of sports cable channel SportsMax, is spending big bucks to ensure that regional heroes will be in the spotlight.

Before, Caribbean broadcasters would take a US feed, said SportsMax's chief operations officer, Newton Robertson.

But not this time around.

IMC is investing US$4 million ($360 million) to guarantee fuller coverage of Caribbean competitors in boxing, sailing and equestrian events.

"From time to time sports get sidelined because of the heavy focus on swimming and track and field," said executive producer Lance Whittaker, "but this project guarantees a more wholesome coverage of the Caribbean."

IMC acquired exclusive Caribbean broadcast rights across all platforms to London 2012, which will be transmitted on six channels from the Olympic Broadcast Services (OBS) on a 24-hour basis to broadcasters.

This partnership with OBS will ensure that, for the first time, the Caribbean audience will be able to follow events of their interest.

But lovers of non-Caribbean events such as synchronised swimming and gymnastics will still be able to enjoy those sports.

"We won't deny the wholesome Olympic viewer of the event they've been accustomed to because we're focusing on the Caribbean," Robertson said.

An additional 124 persons have been hired for the period to ensure smooth operations, including four London-based and five Kingston-based presenters; eight track and field analysts; and four swimming analysts.

Sixty-two interns from the University of Technology, the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies and the Northern Caribbean University have also been employed.

With more than 396 hours of television coverage and 130 hours of radio coverage to be transmitted, IMC has sold rights to 18 broadcasters across the region, including CVM TV for television coverage and RJR for radio coverage in Jamaica.

It will also negotiate with other companies, such as Digicel, for the rights to use Olympic symbols with their sponsored athletes.

Robertson declined to say what the company hopes to earn from the venture.

Let's start the conversation

by Michael Bascombe

In a matter of weeks, some of our most cherished and celebrated athletes will be flying the national colours at the Olympic Games in London, and with all the recent disappointing news stealing the spotlight it is a good time to look to our sportsmen and women for encouragement and hope.

There are a number of athletes who are putting all their time and effort into improving their standings or attempting to qualify in their respective events.

Chief among them are Kirani James, Rondell Bartholomew, Joel Redhead, Kurt Felix, Kanika Beckles and Andrea St Bernard (Taekwondo).

We are traveling to Eugene, OR this weekend for a star-studded line-up of athletes at the 38^th Prefontaine Classic meet at Hayward Field.

Of interest to Grenada would be the Men’s 400m which is considered a dress rehearsal for the Olympic 400 metres rivalry involving the reigning Olympic champion and world leader LaShawn Merritt; the 2004 Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner and the reigning World champion Kirani James.

And hopefully next weekend we could see Rondell Bartholomew competes for the first time in 2012. There are indications that he may open his season at the adidas Grand Prix in New York on June 9.

That same weekend, Kanika Beckles and Kurt Felix will be competing in the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. Beckles, in particular, has shown remarkable improvement over the past five (5) months.

Consider the athlete running 53 and 54 seconds in March and under the guidance of Alleyne Francique is a leading contender among college athletes with a personal best of 51.72 a few weeks ago.

The hope is that my colleagues will find some time to give attention to the athletes’ preparations and performances through their regular bulletins, blogging, and social media. We are sometimes blamed for fuelling the negatives. Why not assist in changing the “conversation”? By doing that you may also educate our population about a competitor’s preparation for an international event as the Olympic Games.

My best wishes to our sportsmen and women as they continue their journey. 

Here is a guide to what some of our athletes have or attempting to achieve.

200m (Men 20.55 A, 20.65 B) (Women 23.10 A, 23.30 B),

400m (Men 45.30 A, 45.90 B) (Women 51.55 A, 52.35 B),

400mH (Men 49.50 A, 49.80 B)

800m (Women 1:59.90 A, 2:01.30 B)

Decathlon (8200 A, 7950 B)

Long Jump (Men 8.20 A, 8.10 B) (Women 6.75 A, 6.65 B)

Triple Jump (Men 17.20 A, 16.85 B) (Women 14.30 A, 14.10 B)

Top 16 teams 4x400m (As of May 20, 2012, Grenada was ranked 18^th with an aggregate of 6:08.96 and an average of 3:04.48).

According to the IAAF, athletes must reach the standards as set by the IAAF during the following prescribed periods:

     -   10,000m, Marathon, Race Walk and Combined Events: 1 January 2011 to 8 July 2012

     -   All other individual events: 1 May 2011 to 8 July 2012

     -   Relays: 1 January 2011 to 2 July 2012
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UK-sponsored walk for Grenada's Olympic Team

LONDON, UK - Grenadians descended on London in a “blaze of colour” in support of the Grenada Team to the London 2012 Olympics.

The Grenada Olympic Welcoming Committee UK which was launched on November 17^th 2011, primarily to provide support to the Grenada Olympic Team and to Grenadians from around the world visiting the UK for the games, hosted a five-mile Thames Walk on Saturday 26^th May 2012, with over 23 supporters in attendance.

The walk covered five miles from Vauxhall to St. Katherine Docks near Tower Bridge in London.

Sponsors were eligible to enter a special prize draw (Trip to Grenada-Compliments British Airways)

The proceeds of the walk will assist with arrangements for the Guest Appearance of the Grenada Olympic Team at the 4^th Annual Grenadian Heritage Day (Saturday, 14^th July 2012), as part of an extensive programme of events (including the “Grenada House”) to raise awareness of Grenada, promote tourism and encourage investment.

High Commissioner for Grenada HE Ruth Elizabeth Rouse was high in praise for those who participated, as well as supported with their sponsorship, and extended special thanks to Deborah Bryant, a member of the Olympic Welcoming Committee, who laboured tirelessly to ensure a well-planned and executed Walk, and the Grenada Board of Tourism (UK) for their support.

Grenada is among the 200 plus countries expected to participate in the London 2012 Olympics (Games of the XXX Olympiad) from July 27 to August 12, 2012.

Top marks for Grenadian athletes at Conference Meets

Kurt Felix (Boise State)

By Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK, May 13, 2012 - It has been a very busy weekend for Grenadian track and field athletes in competitions across the United States.

Among the major achievers were Kurt Felix, Kanika Beckles, Colleen Felix, Sherine Wells, Daryl Baptiste, Neisha Bernard-Smith, Akeisha Dumont, Paul Williams, Rawle DeLisle, Elston and Leston Alexis and Jomo Bullen.

Kurt Felix of Boise State swept the men’s awards at the 2012 Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Air Force’s Cadet Track and Field Complex in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Felix earned the MW Men’s High Point Performer and Men’s Outstanding Performance Award.

He earned his second title of the meet, winning the javelin and picking up his second all-conference honour. His mark of 63.18m was a one-metre win over the second place finisher.

At the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Outdoor Championships in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Colleen Felix was second for the University of Georgia in the Women’s Triple Jump (12.98m) and third with a season-best throw of 45.61m in the Javelin.

At the Big 12 Outdoor Championships in Manhattan, Kansas, Kanika Beckles was second for Texas A&M University in the Women’s 400m in 51.93 seconds. On Saturday, she posted a personal best and Olympic B Standard Qualifying time of 51.72 in the preliminaries.

Also, Sherine Wells of the University of Oklahoma finished 4^th in Heat 3 of the Women’s 200m in 23.76.

In more results, Daryl Baptiste (University of Akron) was 4th in the Men's Long Jump (7.33m) at the Mid-American Conference Outdoor Championships in Michigan and Neisha Bernard-Smith opened her season at the Ponce Invitational in Puerto Rico Saturday night with a 5th place finish  in the Women's 800m.

On Saturday at the Road to London Twilight Series at Icahn Stadium at Randall’s Island, New York, Akeisha Dumont, running for Central Park, finished fifth in the Women’s 200m in 25.24 while Paul “Kim” Williams of Zenith Velocity Athletic Club was fifth in the Men’s 100m (10.59) and Rawle DeLisle, with CPTC New Balance, finished sixth in 10.90. Williams also copped a third place in the 200m in 21.54.

At the City University of New York (CUNY) Championships at Randall’s Island which ended on Sunday, there was a pair of victories for Elston Alexis of Medgar Evers College (MEC). Alexis won the Men’s Javelin (49.70m) and the Shot Put with 13.54m. His brother, Leston, copped the second spot in the Shot Put with 12.50m and the third position in the Javelin (46.80m) while Jomo Bullen, also of MEC, was fourth (44.78m).

The Alexis brothers also featured in the Hammer Throw, with Leston taking the fourth spot (26.91m) and Elston, fifth with 26.57m. Leston was also second in the Discus Throw with 36.59m and Elston fourth (35.06m).

Bullen also competed in the Long Jump (9^th, 5.88m) and seventh and fourth in the 200m (23.03) and 400m (51.14) respectively.

Meantime, Bralon Taplin (South Plains College), who has expressed a desire to represent Grenada, is highly favoured to win the Men's 400m at the NJCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships, starting on Tuesday in Levelland, TX. Taplin, who has Grenadian roots, clocked 45.36 seconds at the Red Raider Invitational last weekend.

A National Sports Hall of Fame

                                                

By Michael Bascombe

Legendary Donald Pierre

One of the biggest lessons learnt from Grenada’s campaign at last weekend’s IAAF World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey is to prepare for disappointments during the careers of our top flight competitors – Kirani James and Rondell Bartholomew.

James’ failed attempt at the World Indoor 400 metre title last weekend is a clear indication of the ups and downs we must expect during his career. It’s no different to Bartholomew’s disappointment in Daegu, South Korea last summer. Bartholomew entered the IAAF World Championships in Athletics as a favourite with a world leading time of 44.65 seconds. However, he was the victim of a long season and finished outside of the medals.

He decided to skip the indoor season this year and concentrate on competition starting in late spring.

James on the other hand, started the season with a bang, winning permit meets in Boston, Arkansas and Stockholm, Sweden but missed out on adding a second world title to his short but distinguished professional career.

Retired quarter-miler Alleyne Francique won the 2004 edition in Budapest, Hungary and repeated that performance in Moscow, Russia two years later.

I was particularly impressed with the 19 year-old acceptance of defeat. He displayed great maturity in his post-race interviews. He has been described as a true ‘champion’.

It was also a disappointed weekend for Colleen Felix (University of Georgia) and Kurt Felix (Boise State University) at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Idaho. Colleen, a favourite in the women’s triple jump, only managed one successful jump while Kurt (DNF) in the men’s heptathlon after a no height in the pole vault and a (DNS) in the 1,000 metres.

But despite the inclement weather at home there were the National Athletics Championships at the stadium and the opening of the “Grenada Super League” organised by the Grenada Football Association in Grenville, St Andrew.

I was also happy to hear that our longstanding sports administrator, Veda Bruno-Victor was unanimously re-elected to the executive committee of the Pan American Sport Organisation (PASO) at their meeting in Mexico this week.

Founded on August 8, 1948, Pan American Sports Organization (PASO), comes with the mission to strengthen the bonds of union and friendship between the peoples of the Americas, to encourage and promote sports development. PASO, recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), comprises 42 member countries.

It was announced in the 2012 Budget Presentation that the Grenada Government has decided that the secondary stands at the National Cricket Stadium will be named in honour of former West Indies cricketers Junior Murray and Rawl Lewis.

But except for an increased in the budgetary allocation for tourism marketing, nothing has been said about sports tourism. How are we positioning ourselves to benefit from the foundation being laid by our sportsmen and women?

We are into the track and field season and the names of Kirani James and Rondell Bartholomew would be highlighted among world ranked athletes. The Jason Roberts Foundation and the Shalrie Joseph Soccer Academy are two additional areas of sports tourism interests. What is the role of the Grenada Board of Tourism to capitalise on this mega-marketing initiative?

Jason Roberts should be given the role as a lead spokesman for the Olympics-bound Team Grenada, given his status in the UK media. He is a true sports ambassador!

While on the Olympics, it’s becoming clearer that Grenada’s medal hopes will lie in the individual events, particularly in the men’s 400m. It’s highly unlikely that a 4x400m relay team will qualify for London.

The uncertainty surrounding Bartholomew and possible knee surgery for Joel Phillip would certainly hamper chances of a relay team qualifying. Bartholomew skipped the indoor season and there is no word as to when he will open his outdoor campaign. Phillip, who has a personal best of 45.29 seconds, has been in training but up until this month announced that he has to undergo knee surgery. This leaves James and Joel Redhead as the only two sureties.

The 2013 World Championships in Athletics in Moscow, Russia should be on target for the relay team.

Finally, the time has come for the authorities to start thinking on establishing a National Sports Hall of Fame. This will certainly put to rest the unnecessary chatter about recognition of our sports legends who have blazed the trails and paved the way for many of our current sportsmen and women.

This Hall of Fame, part of an evolving national sports policy, should be seen as another way to honour the lifetime achievements of our greatest sportsmen, women and administrators. A Hall of Fame Selection Panel could be created to administer the process by which these nominees will be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame.

The likes of Donald Pierre, Maurice “Bull” Williams, Tyrone “Sampat” Harbin, Victor Joseph, Theophilus “Papitette” Redhead, James “Ox” Johnson, Oswald Clovey, Evelyn Gresham, Joseph “Joe” Gibbs, Walter St John, Alston “Heads” George, Raymond Anthony, Kenny Hobson, Veda Bruno-Victor, Janice Celestine, Harold “Flash” Williams, Bernard “Bunny” Wilson, among others are certain to have their names etched into the Hall of Fame.

James takes aim at World Indoor title

File: Reuters

By Michael Bascombe

FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas, February 11, 2012 – 2011 World 400m champion Kirani James of Grenada continues to improve on his indoor campaign with another world leading time of 45.19 seconds at the USA Track & Field (USATF) Classic at the University of Arkansas’ Randal Tyson Centre here on Saturday.

It was James’ second victory in as many outings as he prepares himself for a shot at the World Indoor title, twice won by his fellow Grenadian Alleyne Francique.

The Grenadian champion was always considered the favourite in the two-heats timed final on what’s considered one of the fastest indoor tracks in the United States.

Bahamian Demetrius Pinder set the pace with an opening 45.40 seconds to win the first race but the 19 year-old Grenadian lowered that mark as he won the second race in an impressive 45.19, ahead of Americans Calvin Smith, former USA Indoor champion Jamaal Torrence and Olympic bronze medallist David Neville.

Pinder copped the second spot and Smith was third overall in 45.73 seconds.

James will next compete in the XL-Galan Stockholm Indoor Meeting in Sweden on Thursday February 23 before his major indoor challenge at the World Indoors in Istanbul, Turkey, March 9-11.
Earlier, Kurt Felix and Janelle Redhead posted personal marks.

Felix of Boise State University won the Men’s Heptathlon in a personal best of 5,771 points after seven events at the Boise State University Team Challenge at the Jackson Track in Nampo, Idaho. His previous best was 5,691 points at the same meet last February.

Felix won the long jump (7.66m), shot put (12.86m) and the high jump (2.14m). He was second in the 60m dash (7.11secs), third in the 60m hurdles (8.51 secs), third in the pole vault (4.45m) and fourth in the 1,000m (2:51.01).

The former Junior Carifta Games’ champion wrapped up his win shortly after World 200m semi-finalist Janelle Redhead ran a personal indoor best in the 200m at the Tyson Invitational at Randal Tyson Track Centre.

Redhead, of Wayland Baptist University, finished sixth in 23.68 seconds to better her previous indoor best of 23.75 seconds clocked at the same facility exactly one year ago.

Also competing was Sherine Wells of Oklahoma University who was 25^th overall in 24.32 seconds.

Both athletes also competed in the women’s 60 metres dash on Friday with Wells clocking 7.48secs in 14^th position and Redhead, two places behind, in 7.59secs.

Over at the Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium in College Point, Texas, Kanika Beckles was 23^rd overall in the 200m in 25.36 seconds.

Tickets for London 2012 Olympic Games

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, October 6, 2011 - Grenadians who want to purchase tickets for the London 2012 Olympic Games still have a chance to do so.

Cartan Tours, in association with the Grenada Olympic Committee, are ensuring that persons who want to experience the Olympic Games next summer could do so by affordable means.

Special packages, which include travel, accommodation and tickets, are being offered for the Games scheduled for July 27 to August 12.

According to Cartan Tours, their second general public ticket allocation process concluded on September 30^th, 2011. However, there will be one final public ticket ordering period for the countries they represent that began on October 1, 2011 and will conclude on November 30, 2011.

All orders received during the third ticketing phase will be prioritised by month and weighted equally as a group in the final ticket select process to occur in early December 2011.

Interested persons can use the attached ticket ordering guide, ticket order form and ticket terms and conditions document to assist with placing a ticket order for the 2012 Olympic Games. In addition, attached is Cartan’s international sales brochure regarding the various travel packages available for the Games.

The ticket form is to be completed in detail, including payment method at the bottom, and return by fax to 1-310-546-8433. You can also email the completed form to info@cartanglobal.com or place an order online via www.cartanglobal.com.

Additionally, you can contact the Grenada Olympic Committee at 1-473-440-9717 or 1-473-435-3015 (local) or 1-718-734-6640 (international) or email grnoc@spiceisle.com.

Cartan Tours have been appointed an Authorised Ticket Reseller for:

Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Venezuela.

This means they can sell within these territories: Official Event Tickets, Official Tour Packages and Corporate Hospitality Packages.

Cartan Tours Event Ticket Terms - London 2012

Cartan Tours Event Tkt Order Form LON 2012

Cartan Tours London 2012 International Brochure - English

Commentary: Some Sober Reflections and the Way Forward

by Michael Bascombe

Now that the celebrations have subsided over the successes of our track athletes at the 13^th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in South Korea, it’s probably an opportune moment for some sober reflections on the experiences of the past three weeks when sports highlighted a patriotic and united people.

It’s important for us to begin the reflections on where we came from and what direction we are heading.

We have to acknowledge that two of the world’s youngest and most exciting athletes over the one-lap event are from Grenada. No doubt, Rondell Bartholomew and Kirani James have maintained their competitiveness and rivalry since the Inter-Col Championships, Junior CARIFTA Games, NJCAA & NCAA and now the professional circuit.

However, as we look towards the future and more so in the interest of the upcoming talents that have begun to project themselves on the international scene, there must be some established level of control on how our athletes are recruited to colleges and universities in the United States and the world over. Over the years the Government and the Grenada Olympic Committee have invested a lot of money into the early development of our track and field athletes and except for Alleyne Francique, Randy Lewis and Neisha Bernard-Thomas the ratio between input and output has been uneven.

While we don’t expect every potential athlete to continue with track as a career, we must however recognise that Grenada was once ranked number three among Caribbean countries with the most number of track and field athletes on scholarships in the United States. Jamaica and the Bahamas were leaders. However, very few of our athletes moved to the next level even though they were tops in their various events in college.

Permit me to dig into some history to explain that Jamaica’s successes to date is not because of the exceptional ability of Usain Bolt but instead started since 1948 when Dr Authur Wint secured the island’s first track gold medal in the 400 metres at the Olympic Games in London. Four years later he teamed up with Herb McKenley, Leslie Laing and George Rhoden to win the 4x400m relay at the Games in Helsinki. At that same Olympic Games Rhoden also set a world record in the 400m. Jamaica’s successes continued through the years with the likes of Donald Quarrie, Bert Cameron, Grace Jackson, Raymond Stewart, Juliet Cuthbert, Merlene Ottey and others and most recently Veronica Campbell-Brown, Kerron Stewart, Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake, among others.

But a major factor and probably seeding ground for the Jamaicans has been the attention and focus placed on their homegrown talents and the structures put in place to ensure that their athletes have successful careers but remain grounded in their roots and act as a conduit to other young athletes. I refer to their annual Boys and Girls Champs, the premier track and field event in Jamaica, and which attract scores of overseas recruits and international media. The successful athletes and schools are also selected to represent the island at the Penn Relays in the United States.

Here is where our National Primary Schools, Private Schools and Secondary Schools’ Athletics Championships should take centre stage. But I am afraid until there is an overhaul of the current format of the Inter-col Championships (which hasn’t changed in at least a decade or more) then we may fail to take it to the next level and thereby attract overseas recruits who otherwise flock to Jamaica and the Bahamas.

This (attracting the overseas recruits) will also give us some amount of leverage in securing the best deals at college for some of our athletes. Parents, schools, coach, athletic association, sports ministry and other major stakeholders should have an input in determining what the best options for our athletes.

While we are basking in the glory of the recent successes of two of our professional track athletes there are already indications that their appearances in National colours may be limited and their coaches and agents are totally in charge.

The word is that these athletes may have to miss representing Grenada at the Pan-American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico next month, on the advice of their coaches. If that is true, then we are in for some serious issues in the future when these athletes reach the pinnacle of their careers.

The Ministry of Sports, Grenada Olympic Committee and the Grenada Athletics Association must now take the bold step and put structures in place to ensure that in the future there is a process that must be adhered to and not the backdoor system.

The message must also be sent to these overseas coaches and agents that we are sending you athletes who are already running fast times and that there must be a good level of respect shown to the little island called GRENADA. They are reaping the benefits in the shortest possible time and in return showing scant courtesies to the foundation of our athletes.

In the meantime, as we hope and pray for the wellbeing and successful future of our athletes and that good sense shall prevail, let’s focus attention on what should be done to avoid any reoccurrences.

With the likelihood of the athletics stadium being completed in the New Year, I am suggesting the twinning of an athletics programme between the St George’s University and the T.A. Marryshow Community College where our talented track and field athletes could remain at home and train with some of our qualified coaches.

Both institutions could also use their international accreditation status to invite overseas coaches for small stints on the island which could also benefit some of our local coaches. They include Wayne McSween, Albert Joseph, Denise Williams, Bruce Swan, Timothy Britton and Trevor Modeste, among others. Our coaches have the knowledge and can only benefit from the finesse and experience along with evolving techniques from the more established overseas professionals but some lack the interpersonal skills needed to help the athletes.

This can and should save us thousands of dollars in the long run which could be used in upgrading other facilities around the island to enhance the talent identification and grassroots programmes of the Ministry of Sports and the athletics association.

We will also be able to empower ourselves as serious negotiators with agents on behalf of our athletes. We should draw on the experiences and expertise of Alleyne Francique and Randy Lewis in their negotiations with agents. Let’s protect and meaningfully support our Athletes as our Nation’s Ambassadors - current and future.