After a six-year pause that left young track and field enthusiasts across St. Kitts and Nevis waiting for top-level inter-island youth competition, the St. Kitts and Nevis Inter-Island Primary Athletics Championships made its triumphant return on May 3, 2026. Hosted at Nevis’ state-of-the-art Mondo Track at the Nevis Athletic Stadium by SKN Athletics and the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), the 2026 edition delivered three days of thrilling competition that ended with Team Nevis securing the overall championship title, with congratulations flooding in from across the federation for the young rising stars.
Athletes from the primary school systems of both Nevis and St. Kitts, ranging in age groups from Under-9 to Under-13, took to the track to test their speed, endurance and competitive grit against the best young talent in the country. For many of the young competitors, this marked their first experience of a large-scale inter-island sporting event, bringing a electric energy to the stadium that was felt by athletes, coaches, and packed crowds of supporters.
When the final race was run and all points were tallied, Team Nevis claimed victory with a dominant medal haul: 19 gold medals, 14 silver medals, and 10 bronze medals. Team St. Kitts turned in a standout performance of their own, finishing with 15 gold, 20 silver, and 16 bronze medals, showcasing the depth of young athletic talent across both islands.
Several young athletes delivered career-defining performances to earn top individual honors. Roné Isles, a rising middle-distance star from Team Nevis, was named the meet’s Victrix Ludorum (top female athlete) after an unprecedented five gold medal finish. Isles took individual gold in the Girls Under-13 400m, Girls Under-13 800m, and Girls Open 1200m, before adding two more gold medals as a key member of the winning Girls Under-13 4x100m relay and Girls Open 4x400m relay teams. The Victor Ludorum title for top male athlete went to Calvert Gift of Team St. Kitts, who also turned in a series of impressive performances across his events.
Hon. Senator Troy Liburd, NIA’s Minister of Education and Youth, was among the first public officials to congratulate the winning team, praising not just the final result but the values the competition fostered for young people across the country. “On Sunday we celebrated not just a victory, but the power of teamwork, perseverance, and national pride,” Liburd said in official remarks following the meet. “I extend heartfelt congratulations to Team Nevis on their outstanding victory at the St. Kitts and Nevis Inter-Island Primary Athletics Championship.”
“This achievement is a testament to the dedication, discipline, and resilience of our student athletes, the unwavering commitment of their coaches, and the steadfast support of parents who continue to nurture excellence both on and off the field. Your collective effort has made the entire Federation proud. Well done, Team Nevis- your success inspires us all,” Liburd added.
The minister also extended praise to Team St. Kitts for their strong competitive showing, noting that the mutual respect and good sportsmanship on display throughout the championship embodied the core values that the event was designed to promote. “The sportsmanship and athletic excellence displayed throughout the meet embodied the true spirit of unity and healthy competition that defines the games,” he said.
The return of the inter-island primary championship after six years has been widely hailed as a critical milestone for developing youth athletics in St. Kitts and Nevis, giving promising young athletes a platform to showcase their skills and build experience ahead of future national and regional competitions. Organizers have confirmed that the event will return on an annual basis moving forward, continuing the tradition of fostering the next generation of track and field talent across the federation.