Caribbean Unity Shines at Carifta Games
By Lincoln DePradine
At the political level in the Caribbean, specifically as it relates to Caricom and the recent brouhaha – of the appointment of the secretary general and the “invite’’ or “disinvite’’ of Trinidad and Tobago to a meeting in Nevis – there may be disharmony.
At the people-to-people level, however, there is less disharmony and more camaraderie. A visible demonstration of this was at the recently concluded 53rd Carifta Games held in Grenada.
Grenada and Grenadians, already well-known for their hospitality, ably contributed to an environment, where spectators from all parts of the English-speaking Caribbean cheered their national athletes, but also celebrated the success of champions from other countries.
And, spectators easily intermingled with one another, exchanging friendly banter, at the stadium named after Grenada’s most decorated sportsman, former Olympic and World Champion 400-meter runner, Sir Kirani James.
The host country was broadly commended for the on-field arrangement for the athletes and for the cultural presentations that formed part of the three days of Carifta activities.
But, some people – locals and visitors alike – also had recommendations for improvements. One of the common recommendations was the need for extended hours of operation at restaurants by the Grenada business sector.
However, it was to the track and field athletes that the games belonged; individuals and teams.
As a team, and the longstanding powerhouse of sports in the Caricom region, Jamaica maintained its dominance, capturing the highest number of medals for 40th straight time.
Jamaica won 71 medals: 28 gold, 27 silver and 16 bronze.
As well, the most outstanding athlete on the track was the Jamaican 100 and 200-meter runner Shanoya Douglas, who copped gold in both events. In the process, she smashed the games’ 200M record.
Trinidad and Tobago was second with 35 medals – nine gold, 11 silver and 15 bronze, followed by the Bahamas with 30 medals.
Barbados won 17 medals and Grenada picked up 11, including Deshawn Smart’s gold in the Boys’ Under-17 Javelin throw.
Smart, with his eyes set on an international career, has begun training with countryman Anderson Peters, a two-time javelin World Champion, and Peters’ coach Paul Philip.
“I think coming out of these Games, it’s positioning ourselves as a viable option for hosting championships at the regional level; and, possibly preparing us for, maybe in the next 10 years, an international-level meet,’’ said Kwame Hypolite, the Grenada Athletic Association PRO, who chaired the marketing and public relations committee for Carifta Games local organizing group.
Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, in an interview with reporters, thanked “everyone involved in delivering what has been an amazing Games’’.
While praising the region’s athletes as a whole, saying he believes “the Caribbean has the highest concentration of track and field talent per capita in the world’’, Mitchell also pointed to the need for improvement among young Grenadians.
“We must pay attention to nutrition and ensure our coaches are continuously trained and upgraded,” he said. “We also need strong club systems to support athletes transitioning out of secondary school.”
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