Top 5 — Jamaica's National Stadium Faces Tight Deadline
Plus a new model to measure sports impact, Saint Lucia takes center court, and more
Whatsup Squad,
Let’s get into the top stories of the week:
⭐️ FEATURE STORY
Jamaica's National Stadium Faces Tight Deadline
If Kingston is the capital of speed, Jamaica’s National Stadium is its headquarters.
The venue is set to host the highly-anticipated ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Championships from March 25-29 as well as the first meet of Michael Johnson's new global track league, Grand Slam Track, from April 4-6.
But the track needs to be resurfaced, and quickly.
Sports Minister Olivia Grange has pledged to do everything possible to ensure the National Stadium track in Kingston is ready for the two key athletics events, but industry experts warn that relaying the track in just one month poses a major logistical challenge.
Bottom Line - Work to resurface the track already began this past weekend and the $350,000 cost is being covered by the Government of Jamaica. That said, any delays to the project could put both Champs and Grand Slam Track at risk.
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🇬🇾 Guyana
Guyana Leads Regional Sports Strategy
Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo called Guyana to professionalize its sports sector.
While the government has been investing heavily in infrastructure and recreational facilities, Jagdeo highlighted the importance of developing programs that transform sports into a viable business sector.
Namely, he suggested that attracting more internationally acclaimed events to Guyana could be a solution.
The newly launched Global Super League, April’s FIBA 3x3 Quest Tournament, and the upcoming title fight for Guyanese boxer Elton Dharry serve as prime examples of this strategy in action.
Bottom Line - While Guyana has historically lagged behind regional powerhouses like Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago in sports commercialization, Dr. Jagdeo’s statements reflect the larger trend of Guyana’s continued sports leadership in the Caribbean.
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🌎 World
A New Model to Measure Sports Impact
In 2024, Jamaica did not host any of the T20 Cricket World Cup matches because the government determined that the cost-benefit analysis was not favorable.
It is possible that if the Active Economy model had been applied, the outcome may have been different.
Dr. Julie Stevens, a Sport Management professor at Brock University and Visiting Scholar at the University of the West Indies, recently highlighted the flaws in traditional sports tourism impact assessments.
She notes that:
They mainly focus on large-scale events, overlooking the value of smaller ones.
They miss the broader economic benefits of sport, recreation, and wellness.
The Active Economy model, developed in Calgary, Canada, emerged after the city rejected a bid to host the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Advocates sought a more holistic way to showcase sports’ economic value, leading to a framework that includes 10 interdependent sectors—from organized sport and active tourism to media, apparel, and sports betting.
Bottom Line - The Active Economy model offers a more comprehensive evaluation of sport impact. Caribbean administrators and researchers should consider using this approach in future evaluations.
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🇱🇨 Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia Takes Center Court
On February 21st, the Toronto Raptors celebrated their annual Caribbean Heritage Night.
This year’s event was particularly special for Saint Lucia, whose tourism product took center court just a day before the island marked its 46th year of independence.
The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) was in Canada to promote the island’s sports tourism offerings, aligning perfectly with the celebration of Caribbean heritage in one of the NBA’s most diverse markets.
Along with concourse signage and presenting partner recognition, one lucky fan won a five-night all-inclusive stay for two at Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences in Saint Lucia, with flights courtesy of Air Canada.
The night was especially meaningful for Saint Lucians, as Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher, who has roots on the island, took the court.
His journey from Saint Lucia to the NBA has inspired many, with fans from both Saint Lucia and Canada rallying behind him.
Bottom Line - This activation demonstrates how destinations can leverage sports properties to boost their global profile. By partnering with NBA teams and tapping into the celebration of Caribbean heritage, Saint Lucia effectively showcased its tourism offerings to a diverse international audience.
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🇧🇧 Barbados
Sports Destination Spotlight
Horseracing holds a special place in Bajan culture, dating back to the early 1900s when the sport became popular among the island’s elite.
Today, it remains a beloved pastime, with The Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup serving as the island’s crown jewel.
Not only does it showcase the island’s passion for the sport, but it also attracts visitors from around the world.
The event takes place on the Garrison Savannah's turf course, one of the oldest horse racing tracks in the Americas and part of aUNESCO World Heritage site.
Bottom Line - With the Garrison Savannah horse racing venue, Kensington Oval cricket ground, and Bushy Park Circuit motorsport race track, Barbados has one of the strongest sporting ecosystems in the Caribbean.
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Until next time ✌🏾