DISAPPOINTMENT

TCI’s NACAC Age Group Squad Reduced to One Athlete Due to Travel Document Complications

Edith Skippings, President of the Turks and Caicos Amateur Athletics Association (TCAAA).

Edith Skippings, President of the Turks and Caicos Amateur Athletics Association (TCAAA) has confirmed that due to travel document issues only one of the eight athletes has been cleared to represent the Turks and Caicos Islands at the NACAC Age Group Championships in Managua, Nicaragua, from July 4–6.

Speaking to NewslineTCI on Friday, July4, 2025, Skippings said the athletes were faced with a myriad of travel document issues, from passport expiration to visa problems.

The team was selected following a high-energy national trial meet held at the National Stadium on Saturday. May 1, where athletes in the Under-13 and Under-15 categories battled across multiple disciplines for the coveted spots.

In accordance with NACAC regulations, the top two finishers in each division earned the right to represent the Turks and Caicos on the international stage.

Each participating country can field a maximum of eight athletes.

Rosay Cox and DeShawn Clarke qualified for the U13 boys’ division, while Jamia Robinson and Steasy Lolo qualified for the U13 girls.

Djaffson Charles and Makai Forbes qualified to represent the TCI in the U15 boys’ category, while Edna Jeanty and Taniya Forbes qualified for the girls’ division.

However, seven of them have been left disappointed because of the various travel issues.

Skippings revealed that three of the athletes had just three months remaining on their passports before they are expired, which prevents them from travelling. Some countries require that a passport holder should have at least six months remaining on their travel document to be eligible to travel to their jurisdictions.

To enter Nicaragua, one’s passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date the traveller arrives, according to their stated travel requirements.

Skippings pointed out also that other athletes have passports which required visas to travel between connecting flights to Nicaragua, which she said could not be rectified in time.

The TCAAA president places the blame squarely on the parents, who she reckoned should have known that their children’s travel documents had become invalid, and take the necessary step to iron out wrinkles in time for the regional competition.

She pointed out that because of the travel documents bungling, the Turks and Caicos Islands has been dealt a tumultuous disadvantage, diminishing its podium hopes.

Courtney Missick, the A. Louise Garland Thomas High School Head Coach, will accompany the athlete to the event.