Turks and Caicos Islands is now out of the race against time to be a host for this year’s CARIFTA Games.
Turks and Caicos was one of the last frontiers for officials of the North American, Central American & Caribbean (NACAC) Track and Field Association, under whose auspices the Games are staged, to find a host for the region’s marquee junior meet, which is scheduled for April 22 to 24.
But some officials in Providenciales have also joined the list of those turning down the chance to stage the Games, placing it in further jeopardy of being cancelled for the first time in its 40-year history.
“We were actively pursued by NACAC President Teddy McCook to host the CARIFTA Games 2011,” Rita Gardiner, President of the Common Wealth Games Committee, told RTC Sports Watch on Wednesday.
“This was just two weeks ago, and since then we have held a few meetings to see if it was possible.”
She added: “But we have not had a response from the Government and (Tuesday) was the final day to give NACAC a positive response.
“So I reluctantly called and informed them that we did not think it would be possible. Right now, we will not be able to host the CARIFTA Games.” Mrs. Gardiner also eluded to the fact that after constant attempts to reach those individuals who are in charge of the country for a confirmation, they did not dignify her with a response. Mrs. Gardiner spoke candidly and passionately on the sports program on RTC and even stated that sponsors were actively pursuing the games.
The staging of the Games had been thrown into a state of chaos when St Kitts withdrew from their commitment to host the event, because of financial and logistical reasons.
NACAC have been frantically trying to find a replacement over the last three months, and indications are they may now turn to the French Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, in a desperate bid to save the Games.
“We couldn’t hold out anymore,” said Gardiner about the Turks and Caicos’ decision. “It’s two months away from CARIFTA. Whichever country is going to host the Games, they must be prepared to do some work.
Economic state
“I do not think that the TCI can do it right now, seeing our economic state and the state of the national stadium.”
She said: “We would have needed to put some work into the stadium and the track. I believe all of the stakeholders would have been willing to come together and do it, but I do not think we need that pressure, since it would be too much pressure right now and there are some other pressing issues.”
RTC News spoke with Mr. Neroy Kennedy, President of the Turks & Caicos Amateur Athletic Association (TCAA) who also chimed in today stating, “That due to the downturn in the economy, it would have been a bit tight to have staged the games in the allotted time.” Mr. Kennedy referred in reflection to the staging of the 2007 games, “Funding was more readily available then,than they are today despite a couple of corporate sponsors stepping up to assist in the staging of the 2011 games.” Mr. Kennedy reasoned that manpower would be another huge factor for the games to be stated professionally and that manpower would also attract additional cost; Mr.Kennedy stated that he was saddened that the games could not be hosted by the TCI and hopes that another sister country maybe able to host the games.
Jamaica turned down the request to stage the event because of its proximity to its International Invitational meet, which officials in Kingston stated would have stretched its human and financial resources.
The Bahamas was also a strong contender, but they side-stepped the Games because of the failure to get a financial guarantee from NACAC.
Trinidad and Tobago was also being considered, but Ephraim Serrette, president of the track and field body in the twin-island republic, indicated they would have needed more notice to successfully stage the Games.
SOURCE: CMC/RTC
