Cayman Athletics unveiled this year’s CARIFTA team on Monday 13th March.
CUC has been the sponsor of the CARIFTA team for over 37 years.
A ceremony was held at the VIP Lounge at the Truman Bodden Sports Center on Monday, 13th March, 20 young Caymanians, who will make their way to the 50th staging of the CARIFTA Games to participate in various sports from 7th to 10th April.
The Team Announcement event, was a chance for the young people to meet the press and an opportunity for pictures with the sponsors and organisers, as well as to discuss the upcoming trip and the team’s aspirations ahead of the Games.
Technical Director for this year’s CARIFT hopefuls, Mr. Jerry Holness, said his job is to galvanise the Youngers and make sure they have a proper system in place, while also addition to giving assistance in all areas.
Mr. Holness said the Team would be taking part in a wide-array of categories, ranging from the 100 meters and 200 meters-dash, the 4x1 relay and the octathalon (an event that features four types of disciplines), in addition to the javelin, discuss, shot-put, long jump and high jump.
“I think we have good representation in the field,” said Mr. Holness, who is in his first year with the Cayman Athletic Association.
Hailing from Jamaica, Mr. Holness has had over 40 years of experience in sports, working with national athletes in the Olympics, the World Championship, the World Indoor and the Commonwealth Games.
“Based on the results we have seen, they will do well,” he remarked of Cayman’s contingent, adding that, it is hard to measure athletes purely on medals.
The line-up for Cayman is as follows:
Under 17 Girls:
Mikayla Brown - Shot-put
Gabriella Smith - Discuss
Under 20 Girls:
Yanelli Dawkis - Discuss and Shot Put
Breanna Smith - Discuss and Shot Put
Renia Smith - Long Jump
Aaliyannah Anderson - 100 Meters
Rachel Pascal - Javelin
Under 17 Boys:
Anthony Chin Jr. - Long Jump
Michail Michelin - 200 Meters
Under 20 Boys:
Andrew Stone - Long Jump
Josh Gardner - High Jump
Jamar Ellis - 100 Meter, 200 meter, 4x1 Relay
Jaiden Reid - 4x1 Relay
Ty Goddard - 4x1 Relay
Jerel Maize - 4x1 Relay
Davonte Howell - 4x1 Relay
Alex Gordon - 4x1 Relay
Open Boys
Arion Wright - Octathalon
The Cayman Islands’ CARIFTA Team is sponsored by Caribbean Utilities Company (CUC).
CEO of CUC. Mr. Richard Hew noted that CUC has been a sponsor of CARIFTA for 37 years now and that the company had been associated with track and field for over 44 years.
“We believe strongly in community involvement and in particular athletics, which builds character and discipline, whilst creating opportunities for our young people in the future,” said Mr. Hew.
He added that CUCU is keenly interested in giving back to the Cayman Islands’ community.
“There is no greater joy than watching our youth develop into strong citizens,” he remarked.
Age groups in the CARIFTA games range from Under 17 to Under 20.
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