CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) – The CEO of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), David Grevemberg, says he is “more optimistic” about St Lucia’s ability to host the youth meet in 2017.

Grevemberg made his disclosure after a visit to St Lucia over the weekend in which the country’s hosting of the Commonwealth Youth Games dominated the agenda.
There appears to have been some uncertainty surrounding the ability of St Lucia to host the games two years from now.
The CEO says the CGF stands ready to lend assistance to the local authorities, and he is looking forward to the island having a great event.
Grevemberg was among some 29 delegates from 21 member territories of the (CGF) in St Lucia at the weekend, for a joint meeting of the Caribbean and Americas region.
“Commonwealth Games is very important but we need as sports organisations and National Olympic committees to get our respective Governments involved,” said Juman-Yassin, Regional Vice-President of the Americas.
“We need for Ministers in the Caribbean, in the Americas, and throughout the Commonwealth to appreciate the Commonwealth Games as important, but we need … their contribution so it could go much further.”
During the course of their visit, the CGF officials met with the Governor General, Her Excellency, Dame Pearlette Louisy, Deputy Prime Minister, Philip Pierre and Minister of Youth Development and Sports Shawn Edward.
The Caribbean and the Americas together comprise the second biggest region of the Commonwealth in terms of member territories, behind only Africa.