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The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee/Commonwealth Games Association officially launched the Association For International Sport for all (TAFISA) Certified Leadership Course (CLC) during an opening ceremony held at Frenches House on Wednesday, June 3^rd, 2026.

The programme, designed to equip participants with leadership and community-development skills, demonstrates how sports can be used as a tool for social change and community empowerment.

Speaking at the launch, local coordinator Tyrone James thanked the sponsors and organizing team for their support. He noted that while sport is often viewed primarily through the lens of competition, the SVG Olympic Committee, through its educational arm, the National Olympic Academy, recognizes the need to expand that perspective. According to James, the initiative reflects a broader commitment to promoting sport as a vehicle for education, leadership development, and community engagement.

TAFISA Regional Coordinator and Sports Facilitator Etana Wiggins said the course will explore how sport can contribute to stronger, more resilient communities. “Over the next few days, we will examine how sport can be used to create stronger communities,” Wiggins said. “This is not a narrow approach to creating social change in your country. It is collaborative, and only through collaboration can we achieve stronger development and progress for our people,” Wiggins added.

Also addressing the ceremony, Degra Michael of the Community Empowerment Division within the Ministry of Social Welfare, Community Empowerment and National Heritage emphasized the programme’s practical value. “To some, this may seem like just another course or series of lectures, but it is really about equipping participants with the skills to lead, organize, and use sport as a driving force for positive change in our communities,” Michael stated.  

The Certified Leadership Course will be delivered in two phases. Phase one runs from June 3^rd to June 6^th, 2026, while phase two is scheduled for August 18^th to August 21^th, 2026. As part of the programme, participants in levels one and two will be required to design and implement projects within their communities. These initiatives will serve as the capstone component of the training, allowing participants to apply what they have learned in practical settings while creating measurable community-level impact.

Organizers say the course is intended to develop a network of community leaders who can use sport as a platform for inclusion, empowerment, and sustainable social development throughout Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

SOURCE: Agency For Public Information (API)