Louise Martin

Martin, elected at the organisation’s recent General Assembly, defeating incumbent Prince Imran of Malaysia, also reiterated that two or three other countries, aside from Canada and Scotland, have expressed an early interest in staging the 2017 Games following the withdrawal of St Lucia.

The Caribbean nation, awarded the event in November 2011, decided they were not in a fit state to host the Games in two years’ time due to doubts over venues and financial concerns, particularly over the lack of a stadium to host athletics. 

Around 2,000 youngsters and teachers featured in the Ceremony, which aimed to reflect the mantra of the Commonwealth Youth Games, such as inspiration and empowerment of young people.

Following a rendition of the Samoan national anthem played by the Police band and a hymn from the Games Choir, the Opening Ceremony began with the Athletes Parade as competitors from the Isle of Man, which hosted the event in 2011, led the 63 nations taking part in the spectacle around the track.