Economic challenges lead to cancellation of Grenada Invitational

Many fans who were waiting for the Grenada Invitational to be held this year were surely disappointed after the organizing committee announced the cancellation of the match.

The decision to cancel the 2024 Grenada Invitational and remove the brand was made at a board meeting on Monday, May 27.

The driving force behind the decision, organizers said in a statement, were significant socio-economic challenges.

The Grenada Invitational, known for showcasing world-class athletes such as Justin Gatlin, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Kirani James, has been a highlight for athletics enthusiasts since its inception in 2017.

The event ran successfully for three consecutive years, from 2017 to 2019, drawing global attention to Grenada’s athletic prowess.

This year’s event, which was officially launched on May 16 at the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort in St. George’s, was expected to feature top athletes including 2011 world champion Kirani James, two-time Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah and the 2022 Commonwealth 110m hurdles. gold medalist Rasheed Broadbell and Olympic 100m hurdles bronze medalist Megan Tapper.

They were among more than 100 athletes set to compete in the international segment that promised high-quality competition.

Grenadian stars Anderson Peters and Lindon Victor, both qualified for Paris 2024, were also booked for the event, making the cancellation even more disappointing for local fans.

However, efforts to revive the event after the COVID-19 crisis have faced numerous obstacles. The local and regional economic environment made it extremely difficult to obtain the necessary sponsorship and support.

“Despite the best efforts of the board of directors and the local organizing team of the Grenada Invitational, the synergy, enthusiasm, energy and commitment to produce a unique event have not come to fruition,” said the organizers. declared.

The statement continued: “With time running out, the Grenada Invitational Board of Directors made the painful decision at a meeting Monday evening, May 27, to cancel the 2024 Grenada Invitational, as well as bring together, for good, the franchise and the brand that is the Grenada Invitational.

“We are extremely pleased to have been able to organize a quality, world-class sporting competition in Grenada. We would like to warmly congratulate and thank everyone who contributed in one way or another to the 2017, 2018 and 2019 editions of the Grenada Invitational.

Organizers then encouraged Grenadians to look back with pride at previous editions while citing Grenadian athletes such as Kirani James, Anderson Peters and Lindon Victor as inspirations behind the competition.