PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) president Molly May Rhone said a lot of work needs to be done on the netball facilities at the Jean Pierre Complex to get the venue ready for the inaugural Caribbean Games in July.

Speaking to the media earlier this week at a press conference at the Caribbean Games headquarters at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Jamaican Rhone said several areas need to be uplifted at the venue, named after Trinidad and Tobago's World Netball Championship 1979 winning team-member (Jean Pierre).

not in the best shape

"It is no secret that the planned facility is not in the best shape that it could be," she said.

"The major work is the resurfacing of the court but there is also the lighting, the seating and the changing room. Every aspect of the facility needs to be worked on," Rhone added.

The IFNA boss said she met with the Minister of Sport and Youth affairs Gary Hunt, who assured her that preparations would be completed by the first week of June.

opportunity

"We would have preferred it to be ready earlier so we could run some tests but we will still have that opportunity," she said.

Despite the conditions at the Jean Pierre Complex, the IFNA president said she was very impressed with the work ethic of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and expected a successful hosting of the games.

"I would like to congratulate the organising committee with the work they have done so far and, from what I have seen they have done a great job. I have seen, some very dedicated people and have seen that they are working very hard." Rhone said.

The netball category of the Caribbean Games will take place from July 12-19.

inaugural Caribbean Games

Eight countries - Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda and T&T - will take part in the competition.

The inaugural Caribbean Games, being staged under the auspices of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), will also feature track and field, boxing, tennis and volleyball.