Castries (St. Lucia), May 27 (IANS): Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) chief executive officer (CEO) David Grevemberg says he is “more optimistic” about St. Lucia’s ability to host the youth meet in 2017.

Grevemberg made his disclosure after a visit to St. Lucia over the weekend in which the country’s hosting of the Commonwealth Youth games dominated the agenda. There appears to have been some uncertainty surrounding the ability of St. Lucia to host the games two years from now, reports CMC.

The CEO said the CGF stands ready to assist the local authorities and he is looking forward to the island having a great event. Grevemberg was among the 29 delegates from 21 member territories of the CGF in St. Lucia at the weekend for a joint meeting of the Caribbean and Americas region.

“Commonwealth Games is very important but we need as sports organisations and National Olympic Committees (NOC) to get our respective governments involved,” said Juman Yassin, regional vice-president of the Americas.

“We need for ministers in the Caribbean, in the Americas, and throughout the Commonwealth to appreciate the Commonwealth Games is important, but we need their contribution so it could go much further.”

During the course of their visit, CGF officials met Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy, Deputy Prime Minister Philip Pierre and Sports Minister Shawn Edward. The Caribbean and the Americas together comprise the second biggest region of the Commonwealth in terms of member territories, behind only Africa.