Cayman’s 2024 CARIFTA Team Introduced

By Stuart Wilson

The Executive Committee of the Cayman Islands Athletic Association (CIAA), along with the athletes set to represent the British Territory at this year’s CARIFTA Games in Grenada, held a press conference to introduce the team at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex on Monday, 25th March.

President of the CIAA, Mr. Delroy Murray told the audience that though this year’s team was considerably smaller than those sent to CARIFTA in past years, due to the added costs and logistics involved with traveling to the Eastern Caribbean, he was still pleased with the team that has been assembled.

A notable absence on this year’s Cayman CARIFTA team is that of Long Jump Champion Andrew Jones, who officials had hoped would defend his title for a third consecutive CARIFTA Games competition. However, he was unable to attend due to scholarship commitments to his school and a track meet scheduled during the time that the Games in Grenada will be taking place.

“He still has another year of eligibility and so we hope he will be able to join us in the future,” noted Mr. Murray, who encouraged the youngsters who would be traveling to Grenada, especially newcomer Delora Johnson, who will be participating in her inaugural CARIFTA competition.

“Every man puts on his pants one foot at a time,” said Mr. Murray, adding that the Cayman Islands had now come to the point where they were seeing great success in international competition.

Mr. Richard Hew, President and CEO of Caribbean Utilities Company (CUC), said he was honoured to be at the introduction of this year’s Caymanian CARIFTA hopefuls and send them off on a successful trip.

“This is the 45th year we have been involved with track and field, starting form the time I myself was an aspiring athlete in the 400 meters,” said Mr. Hew, adding that track and field availed youngsters of great benefits such as travel, networking, as well as opportunities for further education.

“This means a great deal to CUC, who have been in Cayman since 1966 and we believe in the strength of community,” he explained, adding the he wished the athletes every success and “personal bests”.

Cayman Islands Athletic Association 1st Vice President/Treasurer, Mr. Osbert Francis told the athletes, “…We travel as a team. Team Cayman and everything that happens will reflect on your country.”

He reminded the team of CARIFTA athletes that they should be mindful of that responsibility and trust in their training.

Mr. Francis also expounded on the travel logistics which meant that Cayman would not have a relay team for this CARIFTA Games.

He said travel arrangements were very tight and that ideally, CIAA tries to send their athletes to events two days in advance, adding that the difficulty in getting to Grenada was something they just had to work with.

“It’s usually the other way around for the Eastern Caribbean countries and now we are feeling a little bit of what they have had to go through,” he remarked.

The 51st staging of the CARIFTA Games at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium in Grenada is scheduled for 30th March to 1st April.

Athletes representing the Cayman Islands include, Team Captain Jaiden Reid, who will be competing in the Under 20 - 100 meters,  Davonte Howell will compete in the Under 20 - 100 and 200 meters, Michail Michelin (Under 20 - 200 meters), Anthony Chin Jr. (Under 17 - Long Jump), Team Vice captain, Brianna Smith (Under 20 Shot Put) and Delora Johnson (Under 17- High Jump and Long Jump).

Accompanying the team are CIAA Head of Delegation Maxine Anglin and Head Coach Tyrone Yen.