The Dominica Athletics Association (DAA) recently shared that Dominica has been officially designated as a recipient of the World Athletics Project 10 initiative. Reportedly, the program aims to assist in the development of a top-tier synthetic track and field complex classified as World Athletics Class 1 in the chosen nation.
The Association acknowledged that the milestone signifies a pivotal step forward for athletics on the island, representing two years of deliberate planning and collaboration, to advance sports in Dominica. In December 2023, the DAA submitted a detailed proposal to World Athletics, advocating for Dominica’s inclusion in Project 10. After a thorough process involving consultations, technical evaluations, and extensive assessments over two years, the country has now been confirmed as a successful beneficiary. It is also reported that land has been secured in Portsmouth to develop this facility.
A recent agreement between the Qatar Olympic Committee and World Athletics has been finalized, officially endorsing the implementation of this transformative project, with Dominica among the selected nations.
According to the release, the development arrives at a strategic moment, as the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica and the DAA have been working on a comprehensive master plan for a modern national sports complex. This plan includes a synthetic track and field venue alongside an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The partnership with World Athletics for the track component complements this broader vision, and the DAA says that it looks forward to collaborating closely with all stakeholders involved.
The DAA also extended heartfelt thanks to all individuals and organizations whose cooperation made this achievement possible. The release mentioned that special appreciation is given to Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit and the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Oscar George and the Ministry of Sports, Mr. Reggie Severin, and Mr. Billy Doctrove for their leadership, encouragement, and unwavering support throughout the proposal process. Additionally, the association also recognized the numerous government departments and technical teams whose efforts ensured that Dominica met the rigorous standards set by World Athletics. The team expressed gratitude to those involved in ongoing evaluations of the proposed site.
“This milestone marks the beginning of a new era for athletics in Dominica. With this world-class facility, the nation is poised to elevate athlete development, expand its capacity to host regional and international events, and inspire generations of young athletes to pursue excellence.
The Dominica Athletics Association looks forward to continued partnership with the Government of Dominica, World Athletics, and the Qatar Olympic Committee as we move toward the realization of this landmark project”, concluded the release.
“If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it” (Albert Einstein)
Here then is my absurd idea.
Given that, other than the Olympics and World Championships, athletics generally struggles to draw large crowds, and given the difficulties of getting from one end of the island to the other, would it not be better simplify the project and have one track in the north and one in the south.
This GREAT NEWS and say what you want about the government you have to at least give them credit for getting this to happen. I understand the scepticism of whether or not this is real but I feel like there are people who will be negative even if the facility was completed tomorrow. Let’s at least be fair in criticsm.
The one criticsm I would make is that they should diversify from just athletics and consider adding facilities for combat sports like boxing and kickboxing. These sports have really good ROI since you have a chance of a medal from a single athelete (as opposed to a whole team which requires more resources like travel expenses etc) and the facilities and equipment are much less expensive than other sports. Also I believe we have talent for that type of sport we just have never really made an effort to bring it out
Freeness is freeness, yes we begged for the ‘aid’ despite having billion$ to rely on ourselves. So what will happens in the populated centers of that island where most, if not all, the athletes who need regular training reside?.
They will travel to the north, just like how people travel to Roseau everyday for work or to go to college etc.
I back you. Most athletes are in the south of the country. Most schools are in the south. . This gonna make it easy for only a TINY number of athletes. The vast majority of them are now gonna have the added expense and struggle to get to partsmouth for training
I agree that athletes need improved training facilities, but the track’s location in the far north will make it hard for athletes who live far away to practice regularly, even though it will hold regional and international championships.
This will be an excellent development for the young people of Dominica. However, anything that emanates from the mouths of Roosevelt and his fawning disciples I only believe when it is physically visible. Roosevelt’s regime has built a 2+ decade legacy of lies and counting.They have even managed to make lies fashionable.
I am all for better training facilities for athletes, but other than hosting regional and international events, the track’s location in the far north will make it difficult for athletes who live any distance away to train on a regular basis.
The cricket stadium should have sounded alarm bells in terms of aspiring for regional and international recognition as against considering what’s needed on the ground.
First lets commend this as a step in the right direction and long awaited and overdue and welcomed. Portsmouth may not be near where most of the population is but we have to get away from the concept that everything must be in Roseau. If Portsmouth is legitimately the secondary city then it must have its share of facilities too. The main issue is that governments do not adequately invest in the future by for example setting aside means for expansion or ear marking locations for facilities yet to be built. This is for political reasons. As much as most don’t want to consider this; but the Roseau valley hides an imposing risk regarding volcanic devastation. It is imperative that we do not sink all our investments into Roseau, which is already crowded as it is.
When I was going to college I had to take two buses to get to stockfarm and then one more bus up the hill to the college. That didn’t stop me from going to school on a regular basis. And I’m sure I’m not the only one. A lot of people from the north and other places besides Roseau make the trip to town EVERY DAY to do what they have to do.
then they just going to use it the sameway they using the winsor park stadium
all that happening in it is show and jam and fete