NASSAU, The Bahamas - After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the much-anticipated CARIFTA Games officially kicked off in The Bahamas for the ninth time, attracting an estimated 800 athletes from 32 countries.

And, it was a win-win time for The Bahamas, which is celebrating its Golden Jubilee Anniversary of Independence to host the CARIFTA Games, which is also in its 50th year.

In his Keynote Address, Prime Minister the Hon. Philip Davis said he was happy the CARIFTA Games were back on track. “We are now settling back into the joy of a sporting tradition which we have come to look forward to at Easter time,” he said.

An excited prime minister told the athletes how proud he was of them; that their tenacity is unmatched, and their hard work has certainly paid dividends.  The Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium came alive with thrilling and exciting topnotch Bahamian cultural performances on Friday, April 7, 2023; the eve of competition in track and field among the young people of the region.

All roads and side corridors leading to the stadium were bedecked with the National Flag, the 50th Independence Anniversary flag, the flags of participating states, and sponsors signaling the jubilee sporting event.

Before dignitaries led by Governor General, His Excellency Sir Cornelius A. Smith, and excited spectators, the parade of nations – teams with their flags -- brought thunderous applause of allegiance to respective countries. 

The National Anthem, March On Bahamaland, was sung by a trio ensemble who took it to another level from its traditional format, and this was followed with a performance by the National Youth Choir taking the country down memory lane with the song “Do You Remember”.

The segment featuring Swann Talent was a mixture of Bahamian expressions in song, dance and a cultural village; a performance by the Church of God of Prophecy’s Brass Band; Wendi 242 performing the CARICOM Song in a floral dress; Sammi Star with his hit the CARIFTA Song “Come Gold With Us,” engaging spectators in singing it; and a Rush out by Genesis Junkanoo Organization, which capped off the cultural and entertainment segment.

Some memorable moments of the Opening Ceremony were: recognizing MaryAnn Higgs-Clarke as the “Mother of the Games”: she is the first Bahamian to win the prestigious Austin Sealy Award as the Most Outstanding Athlete at the 1978 CARIFTA Games; recognition of Pauline Davis as the Grand Dame of 50th CARIFTA Games, who is an Austin Sealy Award Winner, Gold Olympian and Honorary Life Council Member World Athletics; and the Induction of Mike Sands, President, North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC), into the Legend Walk. He was the first ever-gold medalist for The Bahamas at the 1975 Central American and Caribbean Championships in Athletics; and participated in the Summer Olympics 1972 and 1976.

The CARIFTA Games is an annual athletics competition founded by the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA). It was first held in 1972 and consisted of track and field events including sprint, races, hurdles, middle distance track events, jumping and throwing events, and relays. The Games comprise two age categories: under-17 and under-10. Only countries associated with CARIFTA may compete in the competition.    In 1972, Austin Sealy, then president of the Amateur Athletic Association of Barbados, inaugurated the CARIFTA Games to mark the transition from the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The meet normally runs over three days during the Easter period and includes over 150 separate events. 

The countries represented at CARIFTA 2023 are: The Bahamas, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe,  Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, Saint Maarten, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.

Genesis Junkanoo Organization dancer captured during a Rush-out.

Wendi 242 performs the CARICOM Song.

Sammi Star performs the CARIFTA Song “Come Gold With US” at the Opening ceremony of the 50th CARIFTA Games held Friday, April 7, 2023 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

Swann Talent performs Bahamian Expressions in Song and Dance.

BIS Photos/Letisha Henderson