Carifta Games: Jamaica look to rule again
Coach Goburn: It is a well-rounded team
Published:Saturday | April 8, 2023 | 1:00 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
After last year’s grand display at home, Jamaica’s coach Keilando Goburn is not pressuring his team to surpass those performances, but make their own mark as the 50th Carifta Games begins today at the Thomas Robinson Track and Field Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas.
Goburn and technical leader David Riley will oversee 80 athletes who will be competing over the next three days starting at 9 a.m., looking to continue Jamaica’s record of dominance in the competition.
Last year Jamaica amassed 92 medals, which included 45 gold, 29 silver and 18 bronze. But Goburn is not putting any burden on this year’s squad to match what last year’s team did when the games were held in Jamaica.
“The goal is always to get a medal haul better than we got in the previous year. But technically, what that means is that we will be competing against another Jamaican team which is not our objective,” Goburn told the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, “Our objective is to first and foremost ensure that we facilitate the athletes as best as possible.”
CONFIDENT
It is a team that has seen last-minute additions as sprinters Serena Cole and Carletta Bernard and sprint hurdler Habiba Harris were replaced by Sabrina Dockery, Tori Ann Caven and Asharria Ulett. Despite the absences, Goburn said that he is confident in the abilities of those called upon and how they will be prepared following last week’s ISSA-GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships.
“It is a well-rounded team. Unfortunately, we had to do some last-minute additions due to injuries that were sustained at Champs last week. But I think the additions are capable. I expect them to fit in quite nicely,” Goburn said, “We are coming out of five intense days of championship. The athletes would feel a little fatigued. So we are working collectively, cohesively to aid in their recovery.”
Headlining the team will be Class One boys and girls’ 100 metres champions and national record holders Bouwahjgie Nkrumie of Kingston College and Hydel High’s Alana Reid who will open their campaigns today in the 100m. Both have been named team captains and Reid is confident of the team’s ability to do themselves and their country proud.
“The girls on the team as well as the boys are hard-working and it is for all of us to come together as one. At the end of the day, we have an aim and a goal and it is for us to go out there and do our utmost best,” Reid said.
“I’m experienced when it comes to captaincy. It’s a pleasure (to be captain) and I believe I have the necessary characteristics to be captain,” Nkrumie said.