In a significant development for international netball, the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has formally withdrawn from hosting the Americas World Cup Netball Qualifier previously scheduled for October 2026. The decision was communicated to the St. Vincent & the Grenadines Netball Association through an official letter dated February 5, 2026, from Minister Kaschaka Cupid of the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture, and Creative Industries.
The Cabinet’s determination followed extensive deliberation and review of a comprehensive report on the tournament’s requirements. Minister Cupid clarified that the primary factor behind the withdrawal was the insufficient time available to complete mandatory court upgrades at the designated competition venues. The government concluded that the existing timeframe made it impractical to execute the necessary infrastructural improvements to meet international standards.
This reversal marks a dramatic shift from the previous administration’s commitments. The original hosting rights were secured in October 2025 under former Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves’ government, which had provided written guarantees to transform the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex into an indoor facility. However, the change in government following the November 27 general election, which brought the New Democratic Party to power, resulted in a reassessment of these commitments.
Minister Cupid emphasized that the decision should not be interpreted as diminished support for netball or the valuable efforts of the national netball association. Instead, he characterized it as a pragmatic response to logistical and infrastructural constraints, noting the government’s commitment to maintaining the high standards expected by international sporting bodies.
The government reaffirmed its dedication to netball development and future collaboration with the association to enhance infrastructure capacity for potential hosting opportunities. The qualifier, which will determine two teams to join Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls at the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, must now seek an alternative host nation within the Americas region.