(CNW)- Guyana has stepped forward to host the 2027 Carifta Games, just one week after St Kitts and Nevis withdrew its bid to stage the Caribbean’s premier junior athletics competition.
The announcement was made Thursday by the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC), which also confirmed that Barbados will host the 2028 edition of the Games.
The development follows last week’s decision by the St Kitts & Nevis Athletics Association and the St Kitts & Nevis Olympic Committee to withdraw from hosting the 2027 event, saying it was “not the most ideal time” for the twin-island federation to stage the competition.
NACAC President Mike Sands said the commitments from Guyana and Barbados came after swift intervention and support from CARICOM Heads of Government.
“On behalf of the NACAC Athletics Council, officials, and athletes of the NACAC Athletics family, I wish to thank the CARICOM Heads for their swift and positive response in support of the Carifta Games,” Sands said during a media briefing.
“I especially thank President Ali of Guyana and Prime Minister Mottley of Barbados for agreeing to host Carifta 2027 and 2028. This secures the immediate future of what is arguably the world’s premier junior athletics event.”
NACAC said it will now work with the relevant authorities in Guyana and Barbados to begin early planning for both editions of the Games. The organisation also plans to continue discussions with CARICOM leaders on establishing a more sustainable framework for athletics and major youth sporting events across the Caribbean.
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