SAINT-CLAUDE, Guadeloupe — Even as the Special Olympics Caribbean 3×3 unified basketball tournament made history on a number of levels, there is consensus that similar events should become permanent on the regional calendar.

Special Olympics delegations from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Maarten, and Trinidad and Tobago as well as hosts Guadeloupe competed in the tournament staged at Daniel Cassin gymnasium between November 14 and 15.

Special Olympics Guadeloupe was debuting as host of a regional games.

The unified basketball tournament, which aims to promote social inclusion by combining people with and without intellectual disabilities in competition, was the first of its kind to be staged in the region.

The Cayman Islands staged a historic regional bocce games in May 2024 and Trinidad and Tobago followed with the staging of a regional beach games in November of that year.

Jamille Nelson, head coach of Special Olympics Antigua and Barbuda’s unified basketball team in Guadeloupe, guided his players to the silver in Division 3 behind gold medallists Dominica.

He said the groundwork is being laid to spread awareness about people with intellectual disabilities.

“These kinds of tournaments can be a launching pad to build awareness about Special Olympics and unified competition. In Antigua we are trying to educate the public…letting them be aware — and it’s not unique to Antigua or the Caribbean and other countries around the world,” Nelson told the Jamaica Observer.

He said his inexperienced team performed well given the circumstances.

“We had just a few practice matches against students from St Joseph’s Academy in Antigua, and that’s where they got some exposure. But this was their first competition at this level.

“I’m proud of their achievement, proud of what they have done. There are a few things they could have done better in terms of transition play and rotations on the court, but it’s a learning experience for myself and for them,” said the Antigua and Barbuda coach.

“All in all they did execute some of the things we did in practice, the shooting has improved. We’re still working on defence because there is much improvement needed there, but with more experience, with more time, they’ll get there,” Nelson reasoned.

Carrison Henry, head coach of Special Olympics Barbados’ unified basketball team, steered his team to the bronze medal in Division 2. One of the two Guadeloupe teams in the competition won Division 2 gold, while Trinidad and Tobago won silver.

Henry was elated with the grit displayed by his squad, which comprised three women and two men.

“The games were keenly contested — the composition of my team, in a sense, put us at a disadvantage; however, those girls played tough against the men.

“This is the first time Barbados has taken part in 3×3 unified basketball, and I was very pleased about my players’ performance, particularly the ladies. We had one athlete that didn’t play competitive basketball before this at all,” he said.

The Barbados coach said the future is bright for regional programmes.

The tournament was well organised, but there were some hiccups. This is the first time Guadeloupe were staging games like this and there will be positives going forward for all of us,” Henry said.

Ronald DeSilva heads the coaching staff for Division 2 silver medallists Trinidad and Tobago.

He said the hope is that consistent competition will entice more coaches to join the Special Olympic movement, which will help to boost the programme in Trinidad and Tobago.

“I think the lack of coaches as volunteers in Trinidad and Tobago is preventing the programme from growing as much as we would like. There are a lot more of the kids who can develop into fairly good basketball players, but we have coaching limitations.

“Having these regional games on a more regular basis will attract more participation overall. This tournament was very good and gives us that exposure and promotes the athletes and the delegations,” DeSilva told the Observer.

Ronald DeSilva, head coach of Trinidad and Tobago’s unified basketball team

NELSON… these kinds of tournaments can be a launching pad to build awareness about Special Olympics and unified competition (Photos: Sanjay Myers)