Commonwealth Youth Games on Track Despite Hurricane Delay

(ATR) Commonwealth Games Federation president Louise Martin says there is "no time to waste" preparing for the Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games.

Organizers have faced challenges in preparing for the sixth edition of the CYG, particularly with Hurricane Matthew that brought significant rain and 140 mile per hour winds to the Bahamas in October.

The category four hurricane dealt $600 million in damages to the national government, causing a delay in some venue renovations and other developments for the summer sports event.

Chief executive officer for the Bahamas 2017 organizing committee Romell Knowles tells Around the Rings he knows the local organizing committee will be able to bounce back from the natural disaster.

"With the passage of Hurricane Matthew, some delay was experienced but with eight months to go and counting the LOC is confident that it has sufficient time to execute all of its deliverables and host a most rewarding games," Knowles tells ATR.

To ensure progress is being made, the CGF sent a review committee to the Bahamas in the beginning of December. It is the third review committee visit of the year, following up on a recent trip in November.

The review committee includes CGF representatives Rachel Simon and Ann-Louise Morgan as well as regional Commonwealth Games Association leaders such as St. Vincent and Grenadines secretary general Keith Joseph, Trinidad and Tobago president Brian Lewis and Antigua and Barbuda secretary general Cliff Williams.

President of CGA Bahamas and chairman of the Bahamas 2017 CYG Wellington Miller welcomed the inspection, noting the importance of hosting a successful multi-sport event in the Caribbean region.

"The strategic feedback was very constructive and forward thinking as we get set to host a most exciting games in 2017," said Miller. "Notwithstanding a few delays, I wish to reassure my brothers and sisters in the Commonwealth that the games are on and we look forward to further collaboration with the Review Committee and the CGF as we get set to welcome each of you to our shores and to experience our rich and diverse culture."

The hurricane recovery efforts caused delayed funding from the national government for the sporting event. However, a CGF spokesperson tells ATR that the national government will provide all the necessary funding moving forward.

"Following the restoration efforts resulting from the passage of hurricane Mathew earlier this year, the government confirmed the advancement of significant funding for major capital improvements of various venues," a CGF spokesperson said. "It has further been confirmed that disbursements of funds for operational costs are also being made."

"We’re hugely appreciative of the support, commitment and expertise of the local organizing team in the Bahamas and the wider Youth Games Review Committee, and we’re encouraged that plans are picking up pace as the calendar turns to 2017," CGF president Martin said in a statement on Thursday.

The event will be the country’s first foray hosting an international multi-sport competition. The Commonwealth Youth Games consist of athletics, aquatics, beach soccer, boxing, road cycling, judo, rugby sevens, tennis and beach volleyball. It is judo’s first appearance on the CYG program.

The 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games staged in the Bahamian capital of Nassau are slated to take place from July 19-23.

Reported by Kevin Nutley

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