Now Commonwealth Youth Games, too, get postponed
After the postponements of various major international sporting events, including the Tokyo 2020 summer Olympic Games, now the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), too, has decided to consider fresh dates for the Commonwealth Youth Games. As the coronavirus pandemic has taken the world by storm completely disrupting normal life everywhere, the sports administrators are in a quandary over the future of major sporting events.
Sports Industry which is estimated to be worth over 143 billion euros has crashed forcing the organisers, players, officials, trainers and spectators into a hapless situation.
In a statement issued by the CGF today, it was stated that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Executive Board has decided to explore rescheduling options for the 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games. The seventh Commonwealth Youth Games were scheduled to take place from 1-7 August 2021 after Trinidad and Tobago was awarded the competition by the CGF in June last year.
The impact of the pandemic on the global international sporting calendar means that the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have now rescheduled to the summer of 2021 during the original dates of the Youth Games.
Following positive discussions, the CGF has agreed to consider the best alternative options and timeframes for staging the event in the future, potentially in 2023. The CGF has given the Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Games Association (TTCGA) consideration as the first option to host.
Shamfa Cudjoe, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs in the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, has committed to asking the Cabinet to re-examine its position and provide the necessary confirmation regarding the hosting of the Commonwealth Youth Games and the related expenditure.
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CGF President Dame Louise Martin said: “The rescheduling of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics has also changed demands on scheduling and resources for many of our Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) and International Federations from 2020 to 2021.
“COVID-19 has had a devastating impact across the world and everyone’s absolute priority is the health and wellbeing of their communities.” “Our decision has been made in the best interests of athletes, fans, and citizens that are to benefit from these transformational Games. “We are committed over the coming months to look at future dates and hosting options, to ensure the right decision is taken for the Commonwealth Youth Games so that the region can continue to play a leading role as part of the Commonwealth Sports Movement.”
-PTC News
