Antigua and Barbuda's national swimming coach, Wayne Mitchell, has identified the absence of a national aquatic centre as a major factor behind declining participation numbers in the sport — even as the country continues to perform well on the regional stage.
According to Antigua Observer, Mitchell's assessment follows another strong showing by Antigua and Barbuda at the Carifta Aquatic Championships, where a 14-member national team claimed a total of 15 medals at the competition.
Despite the podium success, Mitchell believes the country's full potential remains untapped without a dedicated national facility. The lack of a permanent, purpose-built aquatic centre has long been a concern within local swimming circles, with coaches and athletes forced to work around limited access to suitable training infrastructure.
As reported by Antigua Observer, a government minister has responded to the concerns by promising relief, signalling that the issue is now on the administration's radar. No further details regarding timelines or specific plans were immediately available.
The contrast between the team's regional medal haul and the structural challenges facing the sport at home underscores the resilience of Antigua and Barbuda's swimmers — and the potential that improved facilities could unlock. Coach Mitchell's comments are expected to add fresh urgency to longstanding calls for investment in aquatic infrastructure across the twin-island nation.
