Trinidad and Tobago will welcome the 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games after they were selected as the host nation of the multi-sport event by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) today.

Trinidad and Tobago were bidding against Gibraltar for the right to stage the competition and both Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) were praised as excellent bidders by the CGF Evaluation Commission following visits in January and February this year. Trinidad and Tobago’s success builds on the back of the Bahamas hosting a successful Games in 2017 and continues the CGF’s commitment to small states and island states.

CGF President Dame Louise Martin DBE said: “We are delighted to award Trinidad and Tobago the opportunity to host the 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games.

“We had a very strong bid process and the Board felt at this point in time, the Caribbean offers a fantastic platform for the Commonwealth Sports Movement to build upon. We look forward to working closely with Trinidad and Tobago in the lead up to the Games in what we are confident will be a fantastic event for the aspiring young athletes of the Commonwealth.

“Finally, the Board would like to thank Gibraltar once again for submitting their bid to host the 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games. We will now work with the Gibraltar CGA to identify opportunities to host future Commonwealth events.”

The seventh edition of the competition, which began in Scotland in 2000, will take place from 1-7 August 2021. The Youth Games are a fantastic development opportunity, with athletes such as Jen McIntosh, Josh Taylor, Charlie Flynn, Lynsey Sharp and Hannah Miley just some of those who have participated before going on to make their mark in the Commonwealth Games and on the world stage.

Athletics and Swimming must be included at each Youth Games with the host nation choosing a number of other sports to complete the programme. Once the sports programme is confirmed Team Scotland will work closely with the relevant governing bodies as preparations build towards the Games.

Trinidad and Tobago joined the Commonwealth in 1962. It is the most southerly of the West Indian island states and is situated 11.2kms off the Venezuelan coast. It consists of two islands, Trinidad and Tobago. Having made their debut in the 1934 Games, Trinidad and Tobago have attended every Games since, apart from the 1950 and 1986 editions.

The first ever Commonwealth Youth Games was held in Edinburgh in 2000 with the event subsequently going to Australia, India, Isle of Man, Samoa and most recently the Bahamas in 2017.