BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Regional track and field chief Teddy McCook on Monday allayed fears that the CARIFTA Games could be cancelled for the first time in its near 40-year history.
He was speaking against the backdrop of reports that organisers of the region’s premier youth and track and field showpiece were experiencing problems securing a venue after St Kitts pulled out recently.
McCook told CMC Sports in a telephone interview that he was surprised by the alarm expressed about the staging of the Games.
He said that venue issues were not unfamiliar noting this year’s Games in the Cayman Islands was not confirmed until last September.
McCook explained that a number of countries had been approached, and organisers would hopefully make an announcement by the end of the month on who would host the event.
Media reports had earlier indicated that there were concerns in regional track and field circles about the 2011 event, after St Kitts withdrew.
Jamaica were identified as alternative hosts but they are also unable to take up the offer because of a clash with the annual Jamaica International Invitational meet.
The Games has been the first international exposure for Caribbean track and field stars since 1972, and is traditionally held over the Easter weekend – and this would be a couple of weeks before the Jamaica International.