With the recent announcement that the island nation of St. Lucia has had to withdraw as host of the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games due to financial concerns, two other nations’ names have now entered the pool of possible candidates. In addition to Canada and Scotland having already stepped up as potential hosts for the event, Botswana and the Bahamas have now expressed interest in replacing St. Lucia as host.
St. Lucia made it known just last week that they were withdrawing as host, citing specific concerns over the availability of a stadium to host track and field events. Its only certified track, the George Odlum Stadium in Castries is currently being used as a temporary medical facility due to fire repairs and construction at a nearby major hospital. St. Lucia expressed doubts that the reconversion of the stadium back into the athletics facility would be completed in time for the Commonwealth Youth Games.
As such, both Botswana and the Bahamas have been in contact with the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) regarding moving the event to their respective countries. Government talks within each country will now ensue to determine if the nations will indeed officially submit their bids.
Both nations have experience in hosting international events, with Botswana recently having hosted the African Youth Games, while the Bahamas served as the site for the 2014 and 2015 International Association of Athletics Federations World Relays.
With the 2015 edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games having just taken place in Samoa, CGF President, Louise Martin, says that “The future for the event is good based on what has happened here in Samoa. It’s got everyone talking about the Games and it has generated a great deal of interest.m It was my idea to start the Youth Games and I must admit I had some difficulties originally trying to persuade people that they would be a good idea.”
Countries have until the end of September to express their hosting interests, with formal submissions due by the end of October. The decision on host of the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games will be made by the CGF at its Executive Board meeting scheduled for January.