BASSETERRE, St Kitts – MINISTER of Sports Samal Duggins says the Government will continue to invest in the development of young athletes, with the aim of helping them perform at their highest level and represent St Kitts and Nevis on the regional and international stage.
Duggins said the Government's support extends beyond direct investment in athletes and includes working with the St Kitts-Nevis Olympic Committee on a long-term strategy for sports development.
He said a methodologist has been brought on board to review the Federation's 20- to 30-year sports development plan.
"Currently, as we speak, we have the Louis brothers who are now in India at a high-performance facility, one that is the best in the world, honing their skills," Duggins said.
He reassured athletes that the Government would continue to invest in them and provide the resources needed to help the Federation excel internationally.
Meanwhile, Duggins said St Kitts and Nevis is looking to host more regional and international sporting competitions, including the CARIFTA Games, the region's premier junior track and field championship.
Speaking during a recent Government tour of sporting facilities, the Minister said the Federation is prepared to pursue competitions that fall within its capacity.
"We are looking to host major competitions of any sorts that fit within the scale that we can accommodate in St Kitts and Nevis," he said.
Duggins noted, however, that hosting major international events comes with significant requirements, particularly in areas such as accommodation and facilities.
"In conversation with the Commonwealth and the OECS, they are looking to bring a number of competitions to St Kitts and Nevis. And in the future – although some persons debate when we should – we are looking to bring the CARIFTA Championship here as well," he said.
The Minister previously told SKNVibes Sports that the Government is also interested in hosting the CARIFESTA Games in the future, although St Kitts and Nevis will not host the 2027 edition. The earliest opportunity would be 2029, as the next two editions have already been allocated.
Duggins said discussions with key stakeholders, including the Olympic Committee, led to the decision that hosting the 2027 Games would not be in the country's best interest.
"We believe that, along with the different institutions, particularly the Olympic Committee, that next year would not be the most ideal time for us to host it. And we have asked to defer that hosting until another date which would be announced accordingly," he said.
Although the Federation has stepped away from hosting the 2027 edition, Duggins stressed that the Government remains committed to bringing the Games back to St Kitts and Nevis.
"I think it would be best for some of that detail to come from the different associations involved," he said when asked about the factors behind the decision.
The Minister reiterated that the decision was based on timing rather than a lack of interest in hosting the event.
"The Government is excited about bringing the Games back to St Kitts and Nevis. We just sat with them and recognized that next year may not be the best time to do so," he added.
Duggins said the ongoing refurbishment of sporting facilities is also part of the Government's broader strategy to expand sports tourism.
He pointed to the successful hosting of the recent OECS Championships as an example of the Federation's efforts to attract more regional and international sporting events.
The Minister said the Government's continued investment in athletes and sporting infrastructure is intended to strengthen the country's sporting sector and create more opportunities for athletes to compete at the highest level.
