By Sevket F. ERBAY

The young guns of athletics-loving Caribbean nations will be in Bahamian capital Nassau this weekend for grabbing a title of world’s greatest regional athletics age-group competition, CARIFTA Games. 

Named after an organisation of a trade union of the region, the competition inaugurated in 1972. The event only interrupted by Covid-19 crisis, reach out this year in it’s 50th edition. The Games will be contested by 26 island nations on 8-10 March in Nassau’s well-known Thomas Robinson Stadium.

The hosts Bahamas welcome their fellow CARIFTA guests for the ninth-time in the event history, first since most recent 2018 edition. The Bahamians have announced 80-strong team for 66 contested events, which represent largest contingent of the country so far.

Jamaica, leading nation of CARIFTA Games in history, will arrive in Nassau with 77 athletes including Bouwahjgie Nkrumie, who recently clocked 9.99 at Schools Champs 100 metres final as became only third junior in history to run under 10 seconds at the event. The Jamaican team also featured World U20 triple jump champion Jaydon Hibbert, an 18-year-old freshman from Arkansas University, won the NCAA Indoor title in Albuquerque in March with a massive 17.54 World Junior Record. In women’s side, The Schools Champ sensations Serena Cole and Alana Reid who ran 10.92 in 100 metres, will be in attention surely.

Last year’s Austin Sealy Award winner Adeajah Hodge from British Virgin Island returns the competition as a hot favorite. Hodge, triple gold medallist from last year’s U18 edition, will contest in U20 class at this time, try to sweep sprints and long jump. Hodge already has 11.18 National U20 record in 100 metres and windy 22.83 in 200 metres in collegiate circuit before coming to the Games.

Barbados, one of the most medalled nations in the past, has been announced 23-member team earlier in last month to eyeing on bettering their 2022 performance of 11 medals. Most of Barbadians are debutants of the competition.


Before the kick of 50th edition at the Games, here are some interesting numbers related: 

2999 – The total medal numbers Jamaica wins so far.

33 – Longest winning streak in a specific event (JAM 4x4 U20 women, 1985-2017)

23 – The number of nations which has won at least a title in the past.

20 – Most gold medal in one edition for Bahamas (1984)

18 – Total CARIFTA medals of Debbie Jones from Bermuda between 1973-77

16 – Longest active winning streak in a specific event (JAM 4x4 U18 women, since 2006)

15 – Natoya Goule’s record title number.

11 – The athlete numbers who have at least 10 CARIFTA titles.

 

The CARIFTA Games can be followed in the live stream via Panam Sports Channel.  www.panamsportschannel.org starting from 8th of March.

Official website for schedule & results: www.carifta50.com