NACAC president happy that Carifta is back

Mike Sands, president of the North American Central American and Caribbean track and field federation, is delighted to have the Carifta Games back on the schedule after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sands says the event has played an important role in the development of the sport in the region and expects keen competition when it begins at Jamaica’s National Stadium on April 16.

Sands, a 1972 and 1976 Bahamian Olympian, has seen meets all over the world and says Carifta is unique. “First of all, there’s nothing to compare to Carifta because it’s been the foundation of our total area development for the past 49 years, with this edition. New stars are always born and all of our stars from yesteryear have come through the system and we would expect that we would see more of the same over these Carifta Games,” Sands declared.

In enumerating the features that make the event a special experience, he said: “I think it’s going to be almost like a grand reunion and a fun-filled Easter Weekend, along with the competition. And I must tell you that the Bahamas has also brought the Jonkanoo band to a battle of the bands and I’m hearing the Kingston College band is going to be a part of the event, so it’s going to be a festival. There’s nothing like Carifta. I think it’s going to be a very festive weekend with keen competition,” he said.

At the last Carifta Games, Bahamian Keyshawn Strachan broke the under-17 javelin throw record owned by 2019 World Champion Anderson Peters of Grenada. The 18-year-old Strachan could do it again at the 49th Carifta Games in Kingston, and Sands says his countrymen are buzzing with excitement.

The six-foot five inches tall Bahamian giant sailed his javelin 78.63 metres three weeks ago. That’s longer than Peters’ Carifta under-20 record of 78.28 metres.

His compatriots are watching his every throw. “Everybody’s very, very excited,” Sands said. “I can tell you, to speak of the Bahamas in particular, the minister of youth, sports and culture is here along with several other ministers as well as members of parliament. Also, the prime minister of the Bahamas will be making an appearance tomorrow for a day to be able to watch the session,” he revealed.

Strachan’s big throw had every one spellbound. “I was in the stadium when that javelin was thrown and you thought it wasn’t going to land,” Sands reported. Then he told a story that might become the stuff of Caribbean athletics lore. “He’s a real tall, real nice, humble kid and as a matter of fact, I overheard a conversation with the coach the other day and the coach, apparently in practice, there’s a building at the end of the practice field and he almost hit the building and the coach said to him, Keyshawn, what are you doing? He said, ‘coach, I didn’t do that, I didn’t try it. it just happened’, “ the NACAC boss related.

The youngster has also tossed a distance of 75.41m. The next best performance by a thrower he might face in Kingston is 62.34m by Jamaica’s Christopher Young.

Sands believes that Strachan is just one of the athletes who could shine in Kingston when the Games begin. “I’m sure there are a number of other athletes that are going to come through, as I said, there’s always a star that is born and this is the place that they’re born from, so I’m very, very excited about what the future holds for our sport,” he added.