Jamaica’s continued participation in the Carifta Games has long been a point of verbal wrangling, fuelled by decades of dominance and contending views on the competition’s actual value to our high-achieving young athletes.

A table-topping 78-medal performance at the latest instalment of the championships in The Bahamas over the Easter weekend tells a familiar tale — another Carifta Games, another Jamaican medal fest.

Jamaica has over 600 more gold and approximately 1,000 more overall medals than the second-best country over the 50-year history of these games. So, sure, it has not been the most challenging experience for our youngsters. But does this mean that there is no value?

While it seems largely nugatory on the surface, one should never lose sight of the real value of the Caribbean’s premier international age-group track and field competition and what it means to hundreds of aspiring professional athletes across the Caribbean.

The rivalry and performances over the three days of competition demonstrate that passion for the sport and national pride continue to burn in the young hearts and made it clear that the region will continue to play a leading role in the international athletics stage.

That said, this year’s staging was not without its fair share of controversy and embarrassing episodes.

Kittitian athlete Jaylen Bennett being left out of the Under-17 200m final and having to run alone comes quickly to mind. The rerun-no rerun débâcle that was the Under-20 boys’ 4x100m final and the reported inconsistencies of call times were among the long list of unfortunate sour points.

This region has produced and continues to matriculate top technical officials for track and field and we must apply the necessary safeguards to ensure that we do not see a repeat of these ignominious errors at this level.

Issues aside, the 50th staging of the Carifta Games was another highlight reel of Jamaican excellence on the track and in the field.

For many it was their first taste of international competition and provided them with the opportunity to test themselves against some of the best athletes in the region. This exposure is critical for their development and helps to prepare them for future competitions, including the Olympics.

It also provides a valuable insight into different cultures and affords an opportunity for our young sportsmen and women to form a greater appreciation for their neighbours from across the region.

Besides fostering friendship, facilitating lasting relationships between the competitors, and — admittedly in a minuscule way — providing an opportunity for cultural exchange for our peoples, the games has helped to develop several world-beating athletes from our shores.

Mr Usain Bolt got his ‘Lightning’ moniker at the 2002 Carifta Games in The Bahamas, and the likes of Messrs Kirani James, Kim Collins, Obadele Thompson; Mesdames Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Veronica Campbell Brown, Pauline Davis-Thomson and many others have all taken telling steps towards their impressive international careers at this event.

The island’s newest cohort of young stars has taken that critical step and it’s left to be seen how this experience will aid their careers in the years to come.