Canadian Athletes train in St. Kitts and Nevis

Basseterre, St. Kitts (SKNIS): Athletics Canada continues to rely on St. Kitts and Nevis as a base to ensure select members of that track and field team remain in top shape during the winter period.

A team of 30 athletes and support staff arrived on St. Kitts last Friday (December 06) to train at the Silver Jubilee Athletic Stadium as they prepare for the start of the Indoor athletics season next January.

Minister of Sports the Honourable Glenn Phillip told SKNIS that the annual visit is welcomed by the local government and is in keeping with its sports tourism strategy.

The stay typically injects foreign currency into the country, but Minister Phillip highlighted the many opportunities for national athletes.

“One of the benefits we are having [is that] a couple of our athletes here from St. Kitts and Nevis are able to train alongside the Canadian team and in some respects some might be going back with the team to train,” he explained.

The Minister of Sports said there are plans to expand team visits.

“We intend to increase this over the next couple of years,” he stated. “We have had other countries who want to use St. Kitts and Nevis and the Jublilee stadium as their track and field destination – the track away from their home.”

The team leaves the Federation on December 19, 2013.