The country's capital Basseterre was chosen today by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) at its Assembly in New Delhi, where 71 countries and territories are currently meeting.

 

Dr Denzil L. Douglas, the Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, said: "This will do tremendous good for our little country, as it will further showcase St. Kitts and Nevis to the entire world because 71 nations will be represented at this meeting together with several observers."

 

The Assembly, which has been scheduled for November 5 until 12, will be a high-profile event because it is due to choose which city will follow Glasgow 2014 and host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

 

Among the candidates to host the Games are expected to be the Abuja in Nigeria, Auckland in New Zealand, Durban in South Africa and the Gold Coast in Australia.

 

St Kitts and Nevis is located in the Leeward Islands and is the smallest sovereign nation in the Americas, in both area and population.

 

It covers just 101 square miles and has a population of just 42,696, making it the 209th smallest country in the world.

 

The island staged a number of matches during the 2007 Cricket World Cup, including Australia's victory over South Africa and games involving the Netherlands and Scotland.

 

But the country's most famous sportsman is Kim Collins (pictured), the 2002 Commonwealth Games and 2003 world 100 metres champion.

 

St Kitts and Nevis were one of four cities bidding for the Commonwealth event.

 

After Nairobi was eliminated the short-list was reduced to St Kitts and Nevis, Belfast and Bridgetown in Barbados.

 

Bridgetown then withdrew to support St Kitts and Nevis' candidacy.

 

St Kitts and Nevis, whose bid was presented by Alphonso Bridgewater, the President of the St Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Association, was chosen in the final round after polling 42 votes to Belfast's 21.

 

Douglas said: "St. Kitts and Nevis as a progressive nation, to be given the honour of hosting the meeting of the Assembly in November 2011 is laudable.

 

"St. Kitts and Nevis gives the commitment that it will live up to its name - a country where peace abounds and a country that is progressive and always conscious of its international responsibilities, though small."