Media Release from Commonwealth Sport:
Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Dame Louise Martin says Trinidad and Tobago has the potential to deliver a spectacular 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games with today marking two years to go to the multi-sport event.
Trinidad and Tobago were awarded the right to stage the seventh edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games by the CGF in June 2019 while the competition will take place from 1-7 August 2021.
Preparations are already underway for the Games with CGF CEO David Grevemberg set to visit Trinidad and Tobago in the coming days. He will meet with Brian Lewis, the President of the Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Games Association (TTCGA), as well as the Honourable Shamfa Cudjoe, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs.
CGF President Dame Louise Martin said: “On this day, in two years’ time, the best young athletes of the Commonwealth will gather together in Trinidad and Tobago for what I am sure will be a fantastic Commonwealth Youth Games.
“With preparations now underway, I have no doubt that Trinidad and Tobago have the potential to deliver a spectacular multi-sport event that will showcase the very best of the Caribbean.
“The colour, flair and carnival that we can expect from these Games will provide an incredible backdrop to the world class sport we will witness.
“Some of the world’s sport stars, including the likes of Jess Ennis-Hill and Caster Semenya, began their careers at the Commonwealth Youth Games, proving that this event provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for everyone involved.
“I hope that the people from the Caribbean will support the athletes to help them deliver performances that will be both transformational and inspirational for the whole of the Commonwealth.”
Brian Lewis, the President of the TTCGA, said: “Trinbago2021 is envisioned to be hugely inspirational for the youth and young people of Trinidad and Tobago and the Commonwealth because the TTCGA has given them a voice and ownership of their Games.
“We are hopeful that the CGF will fully support the sports programme proposed and the discussions and conversations that the youth and young people want to have during their Games.”
The sports programme for Trinidad and Tobago 2021 is set to be announced later this year.
Trinidad and Tobago joined the Commonwealth in 1962. It is the most southerly of the West Indian island states and is situated 11.2kms off the Venezuelan coast. It consists of two islands, Trinidad and Tobago.
Having made their debut in the 1934 Games, Trinidad and Tobago have attended every Games since, apart from the 1950 and 1986 editions.
The first ever Commonwealth Youth Games was held in Scotland in 2000 with the event subsequently going to Australia, India, Isle of Man, Samoa and most recently the Bahamas in 2017.