Lewis, who was part of the Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Games Association’s successful bid to host the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games, described the Commonwealth Games as "a symbol and legacy of British Empire colonialism."

Writing exclusively for insidethegames Lewis says: "Facing legitimate questions about its future, relevance, impact and meaning the CGF must have a profound awakening of consciousness and awareness.

"A first step is to establish a Reparations Fund or Foundation to assist with holistic sport development in the Caribbean with particular focus on youth engagement and development.

"British Empire, colonialism, slavery and the transatlantic slave trade bequeathed a legacy at odds with the CGF's shared values of humanity, equality, destiny."

The Commonwealth Games were known as the British Empire Games between 1930 and 1950, before undergoing two further name changes to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games and then the British Commonwealth Games, before taking on their current name in 1978.

"The CGF can't change, hide or rewrite its sportwashing history, {but} it should seize the opportunity to educate, foster growth and sustainable development, understanding, resilience, non-racism, inclusion and diversity, and promote a fair, just, safe and sustainable future for everyone in the Commonwealth sports movement," Lewis added.

Britain transported an estimated 3.1 million Africans to British colonies in the Caribbean, North America and South America and other countries, according to the National Archives.

Under the transatlantic slave trade, African slaves were sold for sugar, tobacco, cotton and other produce.

Following twenty years of campaigning, the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act was passed in Britain in March 1807, making all practices under the transatlantic slave trade illegal.

insidethegames has contacted the CGF for a comment.

You can read more in today’s guest blog here.