It was all gilts and glamour at the opening of the 51st CARIFTA Games at the Kirani Athletes Stadium in St. Georges Grenada where 28 countries, including the host, are taking part from March 29 to April 1, 2024.
The official opening ceremony saw the parade of the teams under the hot blazing sun in the Spice Isle.
Those who packed the stadium were not disappointed as each country that paraded did it with flare. Grenada’s Governor General Dame Cécile Ellen Fleurette La Grenade, GCMG OBE DStJ officially declared the games open.
Senator Jonathan Lacrette, the minister of Youth and sports, and other top regional athletes officials…all urged the athletes to “abide by the ruling of the judges” be ambassadors to their country, and “compete hard but at all times be disciplined.”
After the official opening, it was back to business as the athletes continued their quest for supremacy.
Dominica took part in the Boys Discus through Addison James but fouled in his three throws and so bowed out.
In the girl’s 100-meter dash, the up-and-coming Kerelle Etienne qualified for the finals coming first with a time of 12.05 seconds.
Etienne, who is regarded as one of Dominica’s “young and bright prospects” in the sport later that evening despite nursing a hamstring injury gave it her best try in the finals but was outdone by Guyana, Jamaica, and Barbados in first, second and third place respectively.
She placed 4th with a time of 11.85 seconds.
After her event, she stated, “I feel great, over the past years, I have been able to reach the top three or four places,” she said.
She urged those vying to reach the top to “don’t give up despite the results.”
Again, the Dominica athletes are hamstrung by the absence of proper facilities especially a modern track & field stadium.
Not wishing it but we have to be realistic. The 2024 Dominica athletic team would suffer a complete drought of medals.So much talent among the youthful population. It’s exasperating that such talents have not being realised because of the uncaring dictatorship which has emasculated the pool of young gifted youngsters in the country.
By the way, why is Dominica always in last place? All the politically independent members of the OECS have the facilities to host the CARIFTA Games except Dominica. No jobs, no sporting entertainment, no money, Dominicans are condemned to a life of oppression and absolute misery under a most underperforming kleptocracy.