2013 Carifta Games

[Historian]

As diehard track and field fans are most likely aware by now, the 2013 Carifta Games (track and field) will be held in Nassau, Bahamas this Easter weekend. A total of 23 Caribbean countries are taking part.

This year, the Bahamians have taken Carifta Games coverage a step further by succeeding in getting ESPN on board. Specifically, HD coverage of the Games by the local Bahamas state-owned television station will be streamed to ESPN International. In turn, three one-hour shows will be broadcast on ESPN International networks worldwide. (ISSA, take note.)

Here’s a YouTube video (courtesy of TrackAlerts) of our athletes arriving at the Lynden Pindling International Airport yesterday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN2t3N_LaYA

The elaborate opening ceremony for the 2013 Carifta Games takes place this evening, and events begin tomorrow. The track finals that will be contested tomorrow night are the 100-meter, 400-meter and 1500-meter races.

[Islandman]

Thanks for the info Historian. Good move by the Bahamians in getting more exposure to the event.

[Sir X]

Thanx

[Historian]

A Bahamian Columnist's View

Expectations for 2013 CARIFTA Games Medals
Sports Scope

Fred Sturrup
Guardian Columnist/Sales Executive


Pub: Aug 28, 2012

Let's think of this scenario. The 2013 CARIFTA Games has just concluded at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium and The Bahamas sits on top of the medal standings with not only the highest number, but also the majority of the golden versions as well. Pandemonium is the order of the occasion and Bahamians throughout the country are connected to the event in some way, rejoicing because the country overcame Jamaica.

It's a victory that is particularly special because The Bahamas had last won the CARIFTA Games way back in 1984, almost 30 years previously. Heightening the achievement is the fact that the Bahamian athletes survive a tenacious last day rally by the Jamaicans who were set to retain a title they had ownership of for so many times.

Officials from the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) are overcome with relief and joy. The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture together with the Ministry of Tourism were pivotal in the success because of how they joined forces to ensure that the best possible circumstances were in place for our athletes to prepare for the event. The victory becomes another of the crowning achievements under the watch of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government.

Let's get back to August of 2012 now. Reality sets in. It will take a monumental effort to dethrone Jamaica. That island has evolved to a position of being head and shoulders above its sister nations in athletics. The CARIFTA Games, the brainchild of the Barbadian sports icon Austin Sealy, has been going on since 1972.The competition has been a tremendous development base for Caribbean athletes. Over and over during the coverage of the London Olympics, praise was given to the CARIFTA Games as Caribbean athletes excelled.

When Sealey and his support team got the first CARIFTA Games off the ground, I doubt they held the view that Jamaica would be so dominant.

Up to and including the 2012 games, Jamaica has lost the competition just five times. Bermuda won in 1975. The Bahamas won in 1980, 1981, 1983 and 1984. The rest went to a Jamaica that got better and better. During the early 1980s, there was a rivalry between The Bahamas and Jamaica. However, the athletes of Jamaica, long ago, left all the others far behind. At times, Jamaica won more medals than all of the other nations together.

It has been dominance of the highest order and fair-minded observers have had little choice but to "big up" the athletes from Jamaica. This is the backdrop that faces The Bahamas as it prepares to host the 2013 CARIFTA Games, March 28-April 1. The pressure is on.

Many Bahamians will celebrate and be appreciative of the performances of our athletes, if second place happens to be the best that can be achieved. Only a victory will satisfy others. It will be a rousing affair. As is always the case, the Jamaican supporters will be out in large numbers, with huge flags and loud talk as they encourage their athletes and cheer their successes.

Will Bahamians come out in greater numbers to boost the spirits of the local athletes? Will the development program leading up to March 28 of next year be such that our athletes will be comparable in depth and talent to Jamaica? Will we be able to rise above Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago etc.?

For the answers to those questions to be favorable, the drive for excellence must be strong and inclusive of the nation at large. If not, it will be Jamaica at the top once again and perhaps one or two other countries ahead of us.

To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com.

Source: The Nassau Guardian
(http://www.thenassauguardian.com/ind...orts&Itemid=50 )

[Don1]

The victory becomes another of the crowning achievements under the watch of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government.

Now dis is revealing...and funny

[TDowl]

Will you be there? I will have ROSA scout you out...

[Historian]

Nope

Will you be there? I will have ROSA scout you out...

No, TDowl Boss, no travelling for me this weekend (lol).

[TDowl]

Travel, wah the Boat in drydock? or yuh doing the Bun ting, say Cheese...