THE SUCCESSFUL hosting of the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games by Trinidad and Tobago is the cornerstone of a powerful sporting legacy for the Host Nation according to the event’s Impact Evaluation Report.
The recently released report stated that Trinbago 2023 – the first Commonwealth Youth Games to be hosted in a Caribbean country – was the catalyst for world-class venue transformations and a commitment to sporting inclusivity in the country through the integration of para-athletics for the first time into the Youth Games sports programme. It also stated that the 7th edition of the Games played a pivotal role in inspiring youth, fostering community engagement, promoting sport tourism and establishing a volunteer culture in Trinidad and Tobago.
These achievements aligned with a number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the priority areas for the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) of Good Health & Wellbeing, Gender Equality and Reduced Inequalities.
Trinbago 2023 brought together 947 athletes and para-athletes from across 68 Commonwealth nations and territories for the 4-11 August multi-sport event.
CGF President, Chris Jenkins OBE, said: ‘’Trinidad and Tobago’s successful hosting of the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games has delivered a lasting legacy for the hosts and a tangible return on public investment, particularly in the area of venue development, that boosts their aspirations to host other global sporting events.
“We are also proud of Trinbago 2023 in blazing a trail for integration with the inclusion of para-athletes for the first time into a Commonwealth Youth Games.
‘’We saw for ourselves the talent, courage, ambition and immense national pride on display as our elite athletes and para-athletes came together in a celebration of sport.
“Trinbago 2023 will serve as a transformative milestone in the careers of our young athletes, marking for many their initiation into an international multi-sport event environment, and it will be an experience that stays with them forever.’’
Diane Henderson, President of Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Games Association, said: ‘’Trinbago 2023 harnessed the youthful energy of member nations, emphasising volunteerism and empowering athletes to engage in the business of sport.
“Throughout our journey, numerous positives emerged: the Trinbago 2023 CARAVAN, a school-outreach initiative, shared Commonwealth knowledge and sports awareness, while the Youth Voice Conference, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat, exemplified youth-driven initiatives.
“The Games witnessed a demonstration of national pride with 1,900 volunteers, safeguarding policies, education, and Anti-Doping advocacy, proving pivotal in shaping the experience.
‘’Venues used during the Games, such as the Union Cycliste Internationale’s First Americas Satellite Centre in Trinidad for track cycling and the redeveloped Black Rock Beach Facility in Tobago for beach volleyball, continue to be integral in the development of youth athletes and the capacity building of coaches and officials within the Caribbean region, and reflect our commitment to fostering sustainable sports development and international collaboration in the region.’’
The report, funded by the Commonwealth Secretariat, was presented at the recent 11th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting (CSMM) in Paris as part of the Commonwealth’s effort to deepen evidence-based sports policy.
Influenced by the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Global Sport and SDG Indicators and the Association of Summer Olympics International Federations (ASOIF) framework, the report highlights positive economic, social, image, sport and environmental impacts that laid the foundation for Trinbago 2023’s enduring legacy and helps shape the Host Nation’s future policies and development objectives – weaving a lasting narrative into the fabric of the nation.
