CASTRIES, St Lucia, CMC – Venue and financial constraints have forced St Lucia to pull out of hosting the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games, the country’s Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony has announced.
He conveyed the decision in a recorded video message to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) General Assembly which met in in Auckland, New Zealand on Wednesday.
St Lucia were awarded the games four years ago but their ability to host the games was thrown into doubt when the George Odlum Stadium in the capital Castries, the island’s only International Association of Athletics Federations-accredited track, was converted into a temporary medical facility following a fire which destroyed St Jude Hospital.
Dr. Anthony pointed out that ongoing works at the main hospital in the south of the island had resulted in the extended use of the stadium, making it unavailable for 2017.
“My Government assumed office in late November 2011, and we remained hopeful that we would be able to identify a source of funds to finance the Games that would not involve increasing our National Debt or burdening the taxpayers of St Lucia,” Dr Anthony said.
“One of our biggest challenges was the necessity to use our National Stadium as a temporary hospital, following a fire in 2009 that destroyed the St. Jude Hospital in the south of the island.
“Unavoidable adjustments in the design of the new hospital have delayed its completion, which is now expected to be in late 2016. The cost to rehabilitate the National Stadium is now estimated at EC$15 million, and the works cannot be completed in time for the Games in 2017.”
St Lucia explored the possibility of jointly hosting the games with St. Kitts and Nevis, but there has been no conclusion on that front.
With the costs of hosting the Games uncertain, St Lucia were unable to provide the unconditional financial guarantees required by the CGF.
“It may be possible for us to provide the necessary guarantees at a later date, but we cannot expect the CGF to delay a decision on the joint hosting of the 2017 CYG at this late stage,” Dr Anthony continued.
“We have therefore informed the St Lucia CGA and the Local Organizing Committee, that we have no other choice but to withdraw our offer to host the CYG in 2017, and to express our sincere apology for any inconvenience and disappointment that this decision will cause.”
He added: “We remain, as a country, committed to the ideals of the Commonwealth, and the value of the Commonwealth Youth Games, and we will find ways of providing other avenues of support and assistance to the young people of St Lucia to make up for this missed opportunity.”
The Sports Programme for the 2017 Games was intended to include seven disciplines – athletics, beach volleyball, Twenty20 Cricket, cycling, netball, swimming and tennis.
CYG 2017 is expected to attract 1000 athletes and 250 officials.
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