SAINT-CLAUDE, Guadeloupe — The Special Olympics Caribbean 3×3 unified basketball competition has provided the platform for regional programmes and their athletes to showcase skills and amplify awareness about the movement.

The delegation from Special Olympics St Maarten, coached by a father and son duo, was among teams competing at the two-day tournament in Guadeloupe — the first-ever of its kind staged in the Caribbean.

St Maarten topped Special Olympics Jamaica 13-8 to claim gold in the division 1 final. But an even greater feat for the Dutch-speaking islanders was the chance for international exposure, which augurs well for programme development.

Special Olympics unified sport activities promote social inclusion by combining people with and without intellectual disabilities for competition, thereby fostering behavioural change.

Franklyn Carty Jr, the head coach of the St Maarten basketball team, told the Jamaica Observer that the experience was invaluable.

“I know the players really enjoyed the competition and they’ve told me that they’re interested in doing it again. That’s actually really good because now other people [with and without disabilities] can see that there are sports and competitions that they can actually join,” he said.

“Seeing the athletes really enjoy themselves and seeing them happy and running around, making shots… that really puts a smile on my face. Other than that, Guadeloupe — in general — the organisation, they [organisers] have been really friendly, so I’d say it’s been a great experience,” the head coach noted.

Carty’s father, who provided coaching support for the delegation, said athletes were exposed to “the experience of a lifetime” in Guadeloupe.

“We’ve made a lot of friends, we’ve met new people. The athletes are having the experience of a lifetime — some of them have never travelled before for Special Olympics. To see some of the special needs kids playing basketball at this level is amazing,” said the senior Carty.

He noted the steady growth of the programme in St Maarten, which he says currently has roughly 60 athletes, up from about 40 in 2022.

Carty Sr said the national director has been front and centre to the programme’s development in St Maarten, which is said to have a population of under 50,000.

“The driving force behind Special Olympics in St Maarten has been the National Director Sharon Cannegieter — she’s been the full force behind Special Olympics moving forward,” he pointed out.

The other Special Olympics Caribbean delegations competing at the historic 2025 3×3 unified basketball tournament were from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago. The Guadeloupe programme featured two teams.

— Sanjay Myers