Rising from the ashes of two years of COVID-19, the CARIFTA Games returned with a bang to a familiar venue here in Kingston, Jamaica yesterday.
Amid rhythmic and entertaining singing and dancing performances, the return of the annual Regional athletic showpiece at the renowned National Stadium was ushered in by Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, President of World Athletics, Lord Sebastian Coe and several other dignitaries.
Off to a fast start, the Region’s best teen athletes are vying for medals and bragging rights in 14 disciplines in the first major, multi-country event in the Caribbean since 2019.
In excess of 450 athletes from 25 territories have converged on the ‘Land of Wood and Water’ for the 49th edition of the Region’s largest athletics competition for U17 and U20 athletes.
The three-day meeting, which has fostered several of the Caribbean’s top athletes, including Usain Bolt, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Debbie Ferguson, Yohan Blake, Kirani James, Shauna Miller-Uibo and Shericka Jackson and many others was welcomed back by Coe during the opening ceremony.
“I am happy that we are able to welcome back the greatest sport in a nation which lineage has provided numerous champions. Being here today shows that sport holds a unifying power and I am delighted to be a part of the celebration with some of the world’s most talented athletes,” he said.
As part of the returning excitement, you can watch live streaming coverage of the entire event on SportsmaxTV and the Sportsmax App.
The Games, signal the reopening of the Caribbean. Evidently
showing the world that the community is reopening for business and sports.
Said Holness, who declared the Games open, “I am looking forward to seeing great competition at this event that is not only a platform for future stars but regional corporation and camaraderie.”
Holness, who warmly welcomed those in attendance to Jamaica, added that he was pleased to share the excitement of the return of the Games which helps to build long lasting friendships and friendly rivalry among the cream of the Region’s athletes.
Remarks were also made by Jamaica’s Sports Minister, Olivia Grange, Jamaica’s Amateur Athletic Association’s President, Gareth Gayle and President of NACAC, Mike Sands.
Jamaica, a powerhouse in athletics, has fielded the full complement of athletes and are favoured to once again repeat as champions.
The Black, Yellow and Green which is hosting the prestigious event for the eighth time, have dominated the fixture, topping the medal table on 43 occasions.
Team Guyana finished third on the gold medal table behind Jamaica and The Bahamas the last time the event was held three years ago in the Cayman Islands.
This year, Guyana’s 14 qualifiers will be aiming to mirror that achievement and return proudly following the competition deeply steeped in the Region’s sporting history and tradition.
