There is strong optimism among both the track and field and the swim teams heading to the CARIFTA Track and Field and Aquatics Championships in Grenada and The Bahamas respectively.
Aquatics Team Manager Roydoya Alleyne said the prospects for several medals from the pool is highly likely this year. The 2024 CARIFTA Aquatics Championships will be held in Nassau from March 28 to April 7. It will include three aquatic disciplines - Swimming, Open Water and Water Polo.
“So, this year, I think we have a very, very strong team going in, and looking at the psych sheet that came out, it looks like we may come back home with some medals for the Turks and Caicos Islands, “Alleyne said.
She added: “We have a lot of swimmers that we are anticipating making it to finals. And then also some swimmers that we're looking to bring home some medals for the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
She said the 16-member team comprising 10 females and six males, will be competing in the 11 to 12; 13 to 14; and 15 to 17 categories.
For her part, Edith Skippings, President of the Turks and Caicos Amateur Athletics Association (TCAAA) said that she expects the athletes register personal bests and haul in medals this year.
“We are actually expecting great things,” Skipping’s. “We are expecting to win a few medals and we are expecting personal bests for more than 50% of our team,” Skippings said.
Randy Fortis has been named head coach, with former Turks and Caicos Islands Track representative, Courtney Missick, serving as the assistant coach. Nicola Fulford is the chaperone, while Rosalie Ingham-Hall is the team manager.
“I, myself, will also be traveling as president along with the team. We are also fortunate to have one of our vice presidents from Women in Sports (Edith Cox) that will also be accompanying us and supporting our team in Grenada along with a re-elected president for the Commonwealth Games Association, Godfrey Been,” Skippings said.
The team will also get government support, with Minister responsible for Sports, Hon. Rachel Taylor and Health Minister Hon. Shaun Malcolm making the trip.
Skippings was happy for the performance that the athletes based in Jamaica registered at that country’s athletics championship last weekend.
“So big things are happening for us this year. We're just praying and hoping for no injuries. And if that happens, all shall go well for us,” she said.
The TCAAA president said a provisional team of 20 athletes will compete at the games. The make-up is 12 males and eight females.
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