CARIFTA 2027 launched in Guyana

The Easter Weekend in Guyana will take on new meaning in 2027 as the Land of Many Waters prepares to host the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Track and Field Championships for the first time since the competition’s inception in 1972.
With inspections of the host facility, the National Track and Field Centre, West Coast Demerara (WCD), taking place earlier this week, the event was officially launched Wednesday afternoon.
Hundreds of athletes, coaches and officials from territories across the Caribbean region are expected to converge on Guyana from March 27–29, 2027.
Speaking at Wednesday’s launch, Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr described the achievement as one of his proudest moments in the sector.

“So, this will be the first CARIFTA Games that we host, but I would also like to state publicly and declare that it will not be the last,” the Minister declared.
He continued, “This is significant because of what we have been able to accomplish as a nation over the last 6 years, very, very significant. The story of Guyana and athletics has moved leaps and bounds in the last five years, to the point where I don’t think there can be any reasonable comparison to the kind of investment, support and confidence that has been placed in the development of track and field, in particular, in any other period in Guyana’s history.”
“This is one of the proudest moments that I can have in this sector because all of the decisions that we made along the way, the investment in the facilities, developing the sports academy, the elite programme, the stipend programme and the celebration of our athletes when they returned,” Ramson Jr further noted.
North American, Central American, and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) President Michael Sands, who was a part of the inspection team, shared how they arrived at Guyana as the 2027 hosts and his satisfaction with what he has seen thus far.
Sands divulged, “We had several hosts, and unfortunately, they withdrew their support, and so, we had a crisis. So, I had to reach out to make sure the continuity of the event took place. Through CARICOM, as you all would know, I’m not sure the inner workings of it, but what I can say is how pleased I was to get the information that President Ali has agreed to host the games in 2027 and then Barbados would host in 2028. That came through CARICOM, so for us, that was a major, major relief.”
“I’m pleased to say that, having been here for the past several days and having met and doing a walkabout and assessing the situation, we’re satisfied that Guyana would be in a position to host these games to the level seen before. So, I express my confidence in the support that I’ve gotten from the Ministers thus far, and we’re looking forward to having a really, really exciting CARIFTA Games,” the NACAC President went on to express.
Sands shared about plans to improve the 2027 edition in Guyana: “We’re looking at expanding the broadcasting of it. Last year, for example, we had over one million views; it’s the first time we attempted it the way we did.

This year, with a little bit more time that we now have, we’re looking that this event will be broadcast not just in Europe, United States, but hopefully, we’ll have discussions to ensure that it’s broadcast in South America – maybe even try to reach out as far as Africa.”
Also present at Wednesday’s event, Minister within the Sport Ministry Steven Jacobs vowed that all measures will be in place for a successful hosting.
“Many people dreamt of Guyana hosting CARIFTA Games, but now it’s a reality. It’s a reality that’s upon us, and it shows where His Excellency and the entire Government, where we want to position Guyana,” Jacobs reasoned.
He went on to assure, “And I’m happy to say that we’ve already started preparation for CARIFTA Games, and we will make sure as Government, that everything is in place for a very important Easter weekend, of which you will have the best talents from the entire Caribbean, right here in Guyana, displaying their talents at the Leonora track.”
Further, Education Minister Sonia Parag was also on hand to advise on how the National Secondary Schools Championships will accommodate CARIFTA preparations.
“This year, the Interschools games will be in October. That is going to lead to the National Secondary School Championships, which will be held from the third to the fifth of March, 2027. And that is going to help our athletes to align themselves to the CARIFTA Games that will be held at Easter,” Parag disclosed.
“Our Allied Arts Unit is going to have a sit-down and ensure the timespan within which the Nationals are held and CARIFTA is held, that you have enough time to prepare these athletes.”
This marks Guyana’s first successful attempt at hosting the regional showpiece after coming up short in previous advances.