THE Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations said because they could not be guaranteed the $500,000 needed they have instructed North, American and Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) that they will not be able to host the 2011 Carifta Games. BAAA's president Mike Sands said as they were asked by NACAC to fill in for St. Kitts, who were unable to fulfill their original commitment, they didn't want to jeopardise the integrity of the Bahamas by trying to hold the April 23-25 regional track and field meet. "We were waiting word on NACAC, which was never forthcoming, so we had to take the position (and as much as we regret doing so) that we would not host the Carifta Games under the circumstances," Sands said. "We couldn't guarantee the government the requirements, so we have withdrawn ourselves from hosting the games." After St. Kitts opted out on their original commitment, Sands said they were advised at the NACAC meeting in Mirimar, Florida in July that Jamaica would step in and host it. But after they withdrew, Trinidad & Tobago was approached and they also withdrew. Sands said the BAAA was then approached in November and every effort was made to stage the 40th anniversary of the games that was started in Bridgetown, Barbados in 1972 by Austin Sealy. "Right now, time is against us because we will have to do a lot of logistical things like securing the hotel rooms that can't be guaranteed just by making a phone call," Sands pointed out. "So from our stand point, to maintain the integrity of our association, the integrity of the games and certainly the integrity of the Bahamas, we find it necessary to withdraw ourselves from hosting it." Sands maintained NACAC president Neville McCook said they were still looking at other venues that they could host the games, if they can secure the necessary funding. But in the event that the games are cancelled, Sands said he's been in contact with the various federation presidents in the other countries with the view of staging some type of meet to allow the junior athletes to compete around that time. "We're not going to be premature to say that this is what will happen, but we have had some discussion on what could be done," Sands said. "In 40 years, Carifta has been the bedrock for all of the regional stars to come through. "So we're hoping that the games will still come off." Sands said they wanted to advise the public that the Bahamas and the BAAA were in no way not prepared to step in and host the games. But he said neither are prepared to do so without having secured the necessary funding. "I take it back to the doorsteps of the president of NACAC, who brought it to our attention," Sands said. "There was no written guarantee from him or from sponsor A (and or) sponsor B that we could present to our ministry, our government. "If you decided that you want to have a party and you want to have it to my house and you have agreed to provide everything, I still have to decide if I want to have it at my house. So at the end of the day, we have to get the government support." Sands said he was aware that Cable and Wireless, who have an agreement with NACAC after hosting the games last year in Georgetown, Cayman Islands, were interested in sponsoring the games again this year. But he denied that they don't have any affiliation with Cable and Wireless and as a result, they are unaware of any agreement that they have in sponsoring the games. Sands said in order to host the games, the country must have a written guarantee from their government to support the games as a prerequisite by NACAC. SOURCE: Bahamas Tribune