In 2021, the CARIFTA Games will celebrate their 50th anniversary, making Guyana’s first-time task at playing hosts even more important.
AAG President Aubrey Hutson, NACAC President Mike Sands, NACAC General Secretary Keith Joseph and AAG’s Mayfield Taylor-Trim
As a result of this, North American, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) President Mike Sands and General Secretary Keith Joseph made a brief trip to “the Land of Many Waters”, in order to begin preparations for the 2021 games.
Working along with the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), the NACAC duo have been exploring the various aspects that will need to be covered, in order for Guyana to be a successful host country.
NACAC President Sands went into more detail about the trip and pledged that the federation would be ready to lend support in whatever areas Guyana might need.
“We were just here to ensure that your timelines have been met and we’ve been doing some factfinding missions. Looking at the venues and other facilities, and putting some questions forth to be able to walk away with a level of confidence that Guyana is ready to host the game. And where we feel the need for assistance the NACAC federation is more than willing to lend its assistance and guidance,” Sands shared.
NACAC General Secretary Keith Joseph
On their first day here, the NACAC pair visited the Leonora Track and Field Facility, West Coast Demerara, at which the CARIFTA Games will be hosted next year.
NACAC General Secretary Joseph while noting that the Guyanese facility was up to standard, disclosed a few areas that were not quite what they expected, such as the long-jump area. In addition, he emphasised on the need for more stands.
“To be honest, with respect to the track itself, it’s not normal for the long jump/ triple jump pit to be where it is. The issue of the warm-up area; it’s not the ideal location, we would have preferred it closer to where your call room is. But if it’s there and it can be completed, we’ll work with that. You also don’t have enough of an area for javelin practice so that would mean having the athlete come out much earlier to do their preparation for the event,” Joseph explained.
Considering the fact that delegations from over 25 countries are expected to attend, including athletes, management teams, coaches, NACAC officials and other top-notch administrators, the visitors estimated that in excess of 1500 persons will have Guyana marked as their destination next Easter.
“It is not just a sporting event, but it is a sport tourism event. As much as anything else and if it’s well done, will have a significant impact on the economy of Guyana.”
Highlighting the sport tourism opportunity, Joseph explained that the Guyanese hospitality and hotel sector was one that he was very impressed with. The General Secretary also went on to share why Guyana was strongly considered for the host nation of CARIFTA 2021.
“But there’s a policy within NACAC that once a new country comes on board, having the requisite facilities, that we give them priority. Others would have had their experience and exposure before but we try to ensure that new members have the opportunity to do it,” he explained.
According to its General Secretary, NACAC will appoint an organisational and technical delegate to work along with the AAG as Guyana prepares to host the event.
“From NACAC, we will appoint an organizational delegate that will look after the administrative matters and we will appoint a technical delegate that will work with the technical department that will ensure all the requisite facilities are in place in a timely manner to facilitate a successful edition of the games.”
