The government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has decided that the country will no longer host the Americas World Cup Netball Qualifier, scheduled for Oct.13 to 23.
Minister of Youth, Sports, Culture, and Creative Industries, Kaschaka Cupid, informed the St. Vincent & the Grenadines Netball Association of the Cabinet decision in a Feb. 5, 2026 letter.
He said the Cabinet considered a detailed report on the matter and after careful deliberation, decided not to proceed with hosting the tournament.
“This decision was based primarily on the limited time available to complete the requisite upgrades to the courts identified for use during the competition,” Cupid said.
“Cabinet determined that, within the existing timeframe, it would not be feasible to undertake and satisfactorily complete the necessary infrastructural works to meet the required standards.”
SVG’s hosting of the tournament was announced in October 2025, following a vote of the members of the Americas Netball Region on Oct. 29.
President of the SVG Netball Association, Natasha Baptiste, said then that an official letter of commitment from the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to ensure that the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex is transformed into an indoor facility was a major element that helped us to secure the bid.
“We look forward to this development, as it will change the landscape for all sporting disciplines that require indoor venues to host regional competitions without concern for weather conditions,” Baptiste had said.
That letter had come from the Ralph Gonsalves government, which was voted out of office in November and replaced with the New Democratic Party administration, which came to office in the Nov. 27 general election.
In his letter this week, Cupid emphasised that this decision was “not a reflection of any lack of support for netball or the valuable work of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association.
“Rather, it was a pragmatic determination grounded in logistical and infrastructural realities, and guided by the need to ensure that any international event hosted by the country meets the highest standards expected by regional and international bodies,” the sports minister said.
He said the Government remains committed to the development and advancement of netball in SVG and “looks forward to continued collaboration with the association as we work toward strengthening infrastructure and capacity for future hosting opportunities”.
The tournament will determine two teams to join the Sunshine Girls of Jamaica and represent the Americas Region at the Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, from Aug. 25 to Sept. 5, 2027.
Baptiste said in October that SVG’s hosting of the tournament would be “a great opportunity for sports tourism and an ideal time for our Vincy Jewels to compete on home soil”.
With the limited funds in the treasury maybe it’s time that those who want to play sports, pay for their sports. I don’t know of anyone in a national team or league in any sport, and I know hundreds of people. So the minority, who do play these sports, should put up the funds to play them rather than expecting us, the majority, to pay for their enjoyment.
Good thing the Argyle airport has been built. This lackluster approach would work against us. Let’s balance rhe books,then.
Susie Williams, what an absolutely ridiculous suggestion! The benefits that sports bring to our nation are immeasurable, and many of the athletes you so casually suggest should foot the bill play without being paid. They play for the love of the sport. They are everyday people with 9-to-5 jobs who spend a great deal of time, energy, and effort playing the sport and representing our nation. Your comment is such an insult to those very individuals who have and continue to represent SVG so beautifully!
Strongly agree with this decision,,,,,, as a national player in the eighties and early nineties, we need indoor facilities with laminated board or artificial grass ,,, come on man…… I had broke my left arm playing at arnos vale court on that concrete