Head coach Desiree Gamble is hoping Barbados surpasses the 14 medals won during last year’s CARIFTA Games in Trinidad, during this weekend’s edition in Grenada.
Head coach Desiree Gamble. (KH)
Her comments came at the Grantley Adams International Airport on Wednesday, as she prepared to depart for the Games with the second batch of 28 competitors.
The first batch of 42 athletes left the island on Tuesday for the April 3 to 6 meet on the Spice Isle.
Athletes gathering their travel documents prior to departure. (KH)
“The athletes, they’re focused and they’re ready to go and compete. We want to improve on our medal tally from 2025, so we’re looking to get more than 14 medals, but at the end of the day we’re looking for the athletes to give of their very best. Even if it’s just a personal best and no medal, we’re going to be satisfied with that,” Gamble said.
With a 60-member contingent travelling to CARIFTA – the largest in Barbados’ history – Gamble is not daunted by the increased logistical load.
“Yeah, it is a lot to handle, but at the same time we have a bigger management team as well, so everything should be balanced and in terms of a bigger expectation. I just want the Barbadian public to remember that we are a developmental team.
“We are looking forward to 2028 should CARIFTA come to Barbados, then we’re looking to really do exceptionally well,” Gamble said.
The head coach said those increased numbers should strengthen the squad in a key area.
“Right now, I’d say those relays. I am happy that once more we’re treating relays as an event and we have some pretty strong relay teams.
“As I expected, they will be nervous, so what we as a management team will do, we’ll just try to keep them focused, try to keep them as confident as possible, and remind them that whatever they do on the day, as long as they give of their best on the day we are going to be satisfied,” Gamble said.
Rashad Gibson has been named as one of the team’s co-captains alongside Jayden Walcott, Nyema Taylor and Ashlyn Simmons.
Gibson said while he was surprised by the honour, he was looking forward to representing Barbados with distinction.
“It was shocking to hear myself named as a captain because I expected it to be someone else, but when my name was called I was like, ‘oh, okay’,” he said.
On a personal level, an excited Gibson said he was eager to compete in his events.
He believes that his times going into the events should see him being able to challenge for a medal if replicated.
“I will be competing in both the 110m hurdles and 400m hurdles and I feel very confident heading to Grenada, but we will wait and see how it goes,” he said.
A number of parents and well wishers were on hand for the team’s departure, with assistant coach Alwyn Babb leading the entire group in a word of prayer just before they entered the departure lounge.
kurtishinds@barbadostoday.bb
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