Next two Carifta Games venues confirmed
KINGSTON, Jamaica— Guyana and Barbados will host the next two editions of the CARIFTA Games it was announced on Thursday following the withdrawal of St Kitts/Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago in what was described as a “swift intervention and support” of the Caricom Heads of Government.
St Kitts/Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago had signalled their interest in hosting the 2027 and 2028 games at the Congress held in Grenada in April but withdrew later.
It will be the first time the championships will be held on the South American mainland while Barbados will host for the first time since 2001 and eighth time overall.
At a virtual meeting on Thursday, Mike Sands, President of North America, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Athletics, organisers of the annual junior track and field championships made the announcement.
“On behalf of the NACAC Athletics Council, officials, and athletes of the NACAC athletics family, I wish to thank the Caricom Heads for their swift and positive response in support of the CARIFTA Games,” Sands said.
“I especially thank President Ali of Guyana and Prime Minister Mottley of Barbados for agreeing to host CARIFTA 2027 and 2028. This secures the immediate future of what is arguably the world’s premier junior athletics event.”
A release from NACAC said the withdrawals came just before the Caricom Heads of Government meeting held July 5–8. It said NACAC Athletics appealed directly to the Caricom Heads on the urgent need to secure a host and on the broader value of sport to the region’s young people.
Sands also praised Grenada who hosted the 2024 and 2026 editions, saying, “Grenada’s willingness to host twice in three years speaks to its commitment to youth development, but it also reminds us of the real demands of hosting places on our smaller island states. Sustaining the CARIFTA Games will take continued partnership between our governments and sporting bodies.”
The CARIFTA Games have been held annually since 1972 when it was started by Barbadian sports administrator Austin Sealy. Jamaica has topped the points’ tables on 48 occasions including the last 40 editions.
