(WIC NEWS) – The Caribbean nation Grenada is all set to host the next edition of the regional track and field championships while beating the bid against Trinidad and Tobago by 16 to 4 votes. The development was announced on the final day of the CARIFTA Games 2023 in the Bahamas.
Grenada was voted as the next host of the CARIFTA Track and Field Championships in 2024, while Trinidad and Tobago will follow in 2025. These decisions emanated from the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) congress at the ongoing 50th edition in The Bahamas.
This will be the third time that Grenada will host the CARIFTA Games in 2024, following the success of CARIFTA in Grenada in 2000 and 2016. The meet was last held in Grenada in 2016. It was a successful bid for Grenada, with 16 votes, and Trinidad and Tobago 4. CARIFTA 51 will be held from March 30- April 1, 2024, while CARIFTA 52 (2025) will be held in Trinidad.
Notably, the CARIFTA Games is among the most prestigious regional sporting events held in the Caribbean region. It provides a platform for youth to demonstrate their talent and compete against other young athletes from different Caribbean nations.
It will be an excellent achievement for Grenada to host the games in 2024 while they will also observe their 50th anniversary. The event will allow Grenada to showcase its sporting facilities, culture and hospitality to the rest of the Caribbean and the world. The event is expected to lure thousands of visitors, including coaches, athletes, officials, and spectators, who would boost the nation’s tourism industry.
The CARIFTA Games being held next year is also a huge opportunity to promote Grenadian tourism, sports and cultural offering while generating economic benefits and encouraging sports development.
The Grenada Athletic Association (GAA) should grab this opportunity to include various stakeholders, including private and public sectors, and begin working on an action plan to successfully host the 51st CARIFTA Games from March 30 to April 1, 2024, at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium.
