by RJ Michaels

The Grenada Athletic Association (GAA) is preparing to chart a new administrative course, with its highly anticipated elective general meeting scheduled for 22 August 2026.

Incumbent President Conrad Francis has signalled his intention not to contest the top seat for the upcoming cycle, ensuring that the local track and field governing body will see a fresh face at the helm.

The election was constitutionally due in January of this year to mark the conclusion of the executive’s 4-year term. However, the electorate opted to defer the process to maintain administrative continuity and stability heading into Grenada’s high-profile hosting of the 53rd CARIFTA Games over the Easter weekend, 4–6 April, 2026.

Francis, a veteran sports administrator, former athlete, coach, and technical instructor, originally captured the presidency at the GAA’s previous elective meeting on Saturday, 22 January 2022.

A staple in Grenadian sports development, Francis previously served as a prominent coach and physical education teacher. He is widely recognised as the producer of the annual InterCol Preview publication and, most notably, led the 1987 Boca Secondary School Girls’ track and field team to their only InterCol Championship victory to date. He later served as the island’s Director of Sports, succeeding Tyrone Harbin in the role.

His extensive administrative portfolio also includes crucial stints as the Competitions Director when Grenada successfully hosted the CARIFTA Games in 2000 and 2016, as well as the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Senior Championships in 2003. On the international circuit, he has guided national contingents as a coach at various World Athletics Championships and the Olympic Games. In 2026, during his final year of presidency, the GAA fielded their largest non-CARIFTA national team to compete at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Under 18 and Under 23 Championships in Mexico.

Over his 4-year tenure as president, Francis oversaw the strategic expansion of the local track calendar, introducing 3 newly named meets that now anchor the GAA Developmental Series: the Neville Glean Classic in December, the Adrian Mitchell Open, and the Charlie George Classic in January. Johnell Mitchell, 1st Vice President, recounted some of the significant accomplishments of the GAA Executive under Francis’ tenure, stating, “We have seen an increase in the number of local clubs, increase in representation in competitions at regional and international level including NACAC and World Athletics Championships, the exceptional growth in participation in the Whitsuntide Games and of course hosting 2 CARIFTA Games in 3 years.”

The executive board of directors manages the administration, policy direction, and strategic development for track and field across the tri-island state. The outgoing executive, which formally took office on 30 January 2022, includes Johnell Mitchell (1st Vice President), Abrel Patrick (2nd Vice President), Desiree Stephen (General Secretary), Geraldine Thompson (Assistant General Secretary), and Claudia Francis (Treasurer). The leadership team is rounded out by Public Relations Officer Kwame Hypolite, Coaches’ Representative Denise Williams, Athletes’ Representative Jelani Franklyn, and Officials’ Representative Devon Layne.

The upcoming August ballot will give member clubs and stakeholders the opportunity to elect the next executive cohort tasked with guiding Grenada’s world-class athletic talent through the remainder of the 2026 season and beyond.