Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) president Donna Watson says she hasn't received any official word on the 2011 CARIFTA Games being cancelled due to the withdrawal of host nation St. Kitt's.

The small Caribbean island have pulled out due to a lack of finances.

Should the Games be called off, it would be the first time in the 40-year history of the competition.

Jamaica, who would be the next likely candidate to host the regional championships, have said they wouldn't be able to fill the void.

The meet is scheduled to take place on April 22-24 next year.

Watson said yesterday she hadn't received any official letter stating that the Games wouldn't be taking place or a change of venue, but said she would likely be informed at the next regional meeting later this month.

"I have not received any official announcement regarding the cancellation of Carifta 2011," said Watson. "We were told at our regional meeting in July that St. Kitt's was not able to host the Games and there were a few countries, Jamaica included, who were considering hosting it and we were going to be informed in late September where it was going to be held.

"We have not been notified of anything official yet.

"Until then I am making the assumption that Carifta 2011 is still on."

The championships have served as the first international exposure for Caribbean track and field stars since 1972, and is traditionally held over the Easter weekend.

World 100 metres record holder Usain Bolt first burst onto the scene when he smashed Carifta Games records when the event was last held in Bermuda.

Due to the timing of Easter next year, Jamaica's governing track body, Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association, say they wouldn't be able to accomodate the 30 countries who are expected to compete.

Other track and field meets in Jamaica have been scheduled before and after Carifta.

Howard Aris, president of the JAAA told the Jamaican newspaper, The Observer, that the close proximity to the Jamaica International Invitational (JII), an IAAF Area Permit Meet, would prove too much for his organisation. The JII meet will be held on the first Saturday in May.

Jamaica have hosted the event six times, the latest in 1996 and before that, 1974, 1979, 1982, 1988 and 1990.

Bermuda will host the Games in 2012.