The Commonwealth Youth Games will be hosted in Trinidad and Tobago next year and several countries in the region will “raise their hands” in support of the Twin Island Republic.
So said Katie Sadlier, Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) in an interview with Stabroek News here in Birmingham, England yesterday.
Before the closing ceremony of the XX11. Last night’s games, the closing media press conference was held in the Games Media Hub in the morning, with Sadlier able to speak daily.
Sadlier told this newspaper that the CGF is excited about the spin-off effects for Trinbago2023 and the region to host next year’s event.
“Commonwealth members are very excited to be going to Trinidad for the Youth Games and I know the Minister (Sports Minister Shamfa Cudjoe) has spoken about the benefits that Trinidad and the Caribbean region will reap.”
Sadlier added: “One of the special things about the Commonwealth Games movement is that it is a family that supports one another and several countries in the Caribbean region will put their hands up to support Trinidad when the need arises .”
CGF President Dame Louise Martin DBE said: “We are delighted that Trinidad and Tobago will host the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games.
Sadlier then reiterated the CGF’s support for the success of Trinbago2023: “Both Dame Louise and I are traveling to Trinidad in a few weeks to sit down and have a look at the venues being considered for the sports and to coordinate the sports program again. They are great people there to run the event but we are there to support them.”
Notes: Trinidad and Tobago will host the seventh edition of this competition next summer. The first Commonwealth Youth Games were held in Scotland in 2000, with the event then going to Australia, India, the Isle of Man, Samoa and most recently the Bahamas in 2017.
Trinidad was originally awarded the 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games in June 2019, however this event has been postponed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the international sporting calendar.