Barbados will be represented by a record 60 competitors, including three pairs of siblings, at next month’s CARIFTA Athletic Championships, scheduled to be held in Grenada from April 4 to 6.
Describing the $110, 000 price tag as “hefty” during yesterday’s official announcement at the Usain Bolt Complex, president of the Athletics Association of Barbados (AAB) Noel Lynch, said he was impressed by the quality of the squad.
AAB President Noel Lynch. (Photo Credit: Kurtis Hinds)
“Of them, 38 were outright qualifiers for the Games. Again, I say this is a very strong team and this is a good team. We’re not perfect and
we have had some setbacks in terms of some of the people that we selected and would have wanted to be here.”
“There are some of them that are overseas that we thought would come and because of their commitments to the universities where they’re on scholarship, they can’t be here for the Games. It may have weakened us a little bit in some areas, but I still think that this team is going to perform particularly well,” Lynch said.
While he chose not to make any medal predictions, Lynch hailed the AAB’s junior development program and the assistance offered by individual coaches, some of whom are outside of the program.
“I can’t remember us ever having the luxury of having athletes qualify for the CARIFTA Games given the standards, and they were not named on the team. And the reason is that in some events, we are so stacked in terms of qualifiers that some people didn’t make it,” he explained.
Unlike previous years, the veteran administrator says Barbados intends to compete in every relay during the event.
“That means there are some people that are here who may not have met the qualifying standard smack on, but it was close enough, and they may have formed part of either the development program or a relay squad,” Lynch said.
Angela Jackson has been named team manager and Desiree Gamble head coach. She will be assisted by Jarad Murray, Alwyn Babb, Kerrie Beckles, Althea Belgrave, Ramon Armstrong and Bryan Holder.
With work reportedly well ahead of schedule at the new National Stadium in Waterford, Lynch said Barbados will be bidding to host the 2028 edition of the Games.
“We have bid before. It’s our intention now to take a formal bid from the government of Barbados. Now that is contingent obviously on whether or not the National Stadium is complete. I’ve been told by the Minister of Sports and Community Development that the stadium is going to be finished by the end of 2027, latest first quarter of 2028, but they’ve promised that it will be a functional stadium and be able to host the Games in 2028,” Lynch said.
CARIFTA GAMES SQUAD
Under-17 Girls: Shania Mottley, Savannah Thorne, Shamyra Scantlebury, Laila McIntyre, Eden Gittens, Gia Greenidge, Haley Merritt, Jazhara Inniss, Jahzaria Ward, Lashay Wilkinson, Shania Boyce, Taylor-Rai Wiggins, Tianna Millar, Tiara McClean.
Under-17 Boys: Zindzele Renwick-Williams, Jalino Hamlett, Tyrell Clarke, Kamaal Armstrong, Ajalah Cumberbatch, Alec Simmons, Asher Brandford, Darran Skeete, Jaiko Devonish, Josiah Gill, Rashawn Holder, Taje Coward, Tyrell Clarke.
Under-20 Girls: Ashlyn Simmons, Krystal Bentham, Aniya Nurse, Alika Harewood, Kyeasha Husbands, Dayna Skeete, Kadia Rock, Afia Greenidge, Kanedra Morgan, Leemiah London, Nyema Taylor, Semara Olton, T’Nia Lashley.
Under-20 Boys: Aaron Massiah, Aidan Moore, Amari Browne, Azari Edey, Dahrion Belgrave, Jahkye Brewster, Jayden Walcott, Jayden Green, Jazzair Best, Kevion Newton, Luke McIntyre, Matthieu Clarke, Nadal Seale, Rashad Gibson, Reneco Brooks, Shamari Addison, Shamari Greenidge-Lewis, Tarrell Johnson-Rouse, Tevon Cadogan, Zachary Wall.
The three sets of siblings on this year’s team (from left) Darren Skeete, Dana Skeete, Ashlyn Simmons, Alec Simmons, Laila McIntyre and Luke McIntyre. (Photo Credit: Kurtis Hinds)
kurtishinds@barbadostoday.bb
The post AAB names record 60-member CARIFTA Games squad appeared first on Barbados Today.
