Carifta Games on track – Fennell
Published:Wednesday | February 9, 2022 | 12:12 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
CHAIRMAN OF the local organising committee of the 2022 Carifta Games, Mike Fennell, said arrangements for the games, scheduled to take place in Kingston, Jamaica, from April 16-18, are going according to plan and he expects the event, which has not been held since 2019, to be a success.
Fennell told The Gleaner the committee was still awaiting some government clearances and that it was finalising arrangements for accommodation, ground transportation and flights.
However, the biggest obstacle that confronts them is the arrival of teams in time for the games.
He noted that not many teams can afford an early arrival and will want to hold off until a day before the games.
However, he said the regional governing body and the overall organiser of the event, the North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC), is looking at arranging charter flights for some countries to ensure all the nations arrive on schedule.
“The big challenge is airline flights coming into Jamaica. It is a very tight time frame. The meet starts the day after Good Friday and most people are expected to arrive from the Thursday.
“We are aware that there are not many airlines coming into Jamaica at that time. So NACAC, the body responsible for the games, is looking at the possibilities for charter for teams, as it will be a challenge getting everybody into Kingston within the time frame that has been specified,” he said.
“This (air transport) is not the organising body’s responsibility. It is the responsibility of each country. However, they fall within the group and we have to be concerned about that,” he said.
The previous two games were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. However, Fennell is contending that this games will materialise following meetings with the Office of Disaster Preparedness Emergency Management (ODPEM).
He also takes the recent approval of the Gibson McCook Relays for 10,000 fully vaccinated fans as a very positive sign. He only hopes the local COVID positivity rate continues to decrease.
“We’ve had meetings with ODPEM. We are due another meeting shortly and we are just waiting on that meeting to look at various areas and see what the arrangements will be. But those meetings have been going well, so we will know what will be required,” he said.
“The Government is supporting this event fully and we are hopeful because of what has been agreed for the Gibson McCook Relays,” he continued.
Though situations change on a weekly basis, Fennell said they are hoping things will continue to open up.
“Hopefully, the positive directions that have been indicated in the last few weeks will continue so we will have the minimum requirements in April.
“But we are more optimistic now that we have seen what has been agreed for the Gibson relays and the protocols that will be there,” he said.
The committee is also waiting to sign off on arrangements regarding accommodation and transportation, and Fennell said all measures will be up to the standard requirements for the games.
“We are about to sign some agreements, I cannot call any names as yet but there are accommodations.
“The accommodations will be in keeping with the standards required and once we know of the airline flights coming in, we will tidy up transportation. So as soon as we sign the agreements, we will make an announcement on it.”
Fennell added that they would also like the presence of a particular category of spectator at the three-day event.
“Apart from normal spectators, we are looking to attract a large number of ‘schoolers’. This is the grooming of our future stars,” he said.