Goodwill Championships remain in Couva in 2027

Guyana’s young swimmers are expected to return to Trinidad and Tobago next year after the twin-island republic was confirmed as host of the 31st Goodwill Swimming Championships in August 2027.
The announcement follows the recently concluded 30th edition, where Guyana finished seventh in the combined team standings with 123 points. The national team collected one bronze medal and ended just one point behind sixth-placed Suriname.

Twelve-year-old Malakhiy Patokie secured Guyana’s lone medal when he placed third in the Boys’ 11–12 100-metre breaststroke. Patokie touched the wall in one minute, 18.87 seconds, finishing behind Trinidad and Tobago’s Kamden Williams and Jamaica’s Steven Hoo Fung.
Williams won in a meet-record 1:16.26, while Hoo Fung claimed silver in 1:17.63.
Patokie was Guyana’s leading individual performer and placed 10th overall in his age group with 16 points. He also finished fifth in the 50m breaststroke, seventh in the 200m individual medley and 100m butterfly, and eighth in the 50m butterfly and 50m backstroke.
Guyana’s best relay result was a fourth-place finish in the Boys’ 11–12 400m medley relay, with the quartet clocking 6:26.47. The country also registered several fifth- and sixth-place finishes in other age-group relays.
Although Guyana placed seventh in the points standings, it was joint ninth with St Kitts and Nevis on the medal table. Both countries earned one bronze medal.
The Bahamas retained the championship with 1,378 points and 122 medals, including 41 gold. Host nation Trinidad and Tobago finished second in the team standings with 1,225.5 points.
The Aquatics Sports Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ASATT) said its successful staging of this year’s competition helped the country secure hosting rights for a second consecutive year.
ASATT President Shawn Pouchet credited the Local Organising Committee, officials, volunteers, coaches, athletes, parents, sponsors and other stakeholders for delivering the event.
Pouchet said the association would use the experience to improve its systems and strengthen its capacity ahead of a demanding 2027 schedule.
Trinidad and Tobago is due to host three major aquatic competitions within five months. The country will stage the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships in March, the Pan American Under-15 Water Polo Tournament in July or August and the Goodwill Swimming Championships in August.
ASATT assumed responsibility for CARIFTA 2027 after the original host withdrew, ensuring the 40th edition remains on schedule.
The association also sees the events as an opportunity to promote sport tourism by attracting athletes, coaches, officials, families and supporters who will require accommodation, transportation and other services during their stay.