The views expressed herein are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of One News SVG.
Every new government reserves the right to assess inherited commitments and decide whether to proceed or abandon them.
In the case of the New Democratic Party (NDP) administration, its decision to forfeit St Vincent and the Grenadines’ (SVG) chance to host the October 2026 Americas World Cup Netball Qualifiers represents a missed opportunity to prove its critics wrong and fulfil its campaign promises to outperform the Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration in sports development.
During its 24-year tenure, the ULP repeatedly promised an indoor facility but never delivered.
The SVG Netball Association successfully bid to host the 2026 Netball World Cup Qualifiers in October, eight months from now, and the previous government committed to building an indoor venue by covering and retrofitting the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex’s netball court.
Yet, the new administration (NDP), which will debate its first budget on February 9, 2026, announced on February 7 that it cannot facilitate the event.
According to reports in several media outlets, Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture and Creative Industries, Mr Kaschaka Cupid, confirmed SVG’s inability to host the tournament in a media release that day.
“The Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines has confirmed its decision not to proceed with hosting the Americas World Cup Netball Qualifier, scheduled for 13–23 October 2026,” Mr Cupid stated.
“The decision followed careful consideration by Cabinet, which reviewed a detailed report outlining the requirements associated with hosting the tournament. After thorough deliberation, Cabinet concluded that the limited timeframe available would not allow for the satisfactory completion of the infrastructural upgrades required to meet regional and international competition standards,” Mr Cupid added.
To me, this is a grave error. It reveals weakness in the new government’s ability to mobilise resources and seize opportunities. It also suggests reluctance to enlist development partners, such as friendly governments. For instance, India’s Quick Impact Projects could provide swift funding for other hardcourt renovations, while Taiwan has reaffirmed its support for the new government’s agenda. There are also statutory bodies such as the National Lotteries Authority which has renovated scores of sporting facilities across the country as part of its mandate to promote sports and culture.
Under the ULP, such challenges were never shirked. A prime example is the 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup matches, where Arnos Vale Stadium was floodlit and equipped with ICT and other modifications to meet standards. Sion Hill Playing Field even hosted practice sessions.
Similarly, Invest SVG erected a large warehouse at Diamond for the 2025 Everything Vincy Expo, a permanent structure completed and outfitted in months, alongside tents for ancillary services.
The NDP stated: “In particular, the upgrades necessary for the courts identified for use during the tournament could not be reasonably completed within the existing timeline without compromising quality, safety, and compliance. The Government determined that it would be imprudent to host an international sporting event without the assurance that all facilities meet the highest standards expected by the sport’s governing bodies.”
We live in an era where such projects are routinely completed in weeks. What could be so insurmountable in eight months?
Consider the damage: reputational loss for our netball community and forgone revenue for stakeholders, including taxi operators, caterers, hotels, and retailers.
The new government’s failure to inject effort and ingenuity means missed benefits for the people who elected it, hoping for tangible change.
We hope it recognises this as a mistake and resolves never to repeat it.
By a concerned young netballer looking on.
One News SVG 
You are talking here about an indoor facility, where can that done and be of the best standard in 8 months and this new government just formed. Sometimes I wonder if some people use the brain that God give them. Is not a shack or a wall u putting up its an indoor facility..come one have some common sense. Im a netballer and I was glad that we was suppose to be hosting it, but look at the kinds of infrastructure we have in st Vincent and the Grenadines, there is no way an indoor facility will be done and in favorable form for 8 months.
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