‘WE CAN GET IT DONE’
JAAA undeterred by short preparation timeline for 2022 Carifta Games
JAMAICA ATHLETICS Administrative Association (JAAA) second vicepresident, Lincoln Eatmon, said that despite the short notice, he is optimistic of the association’s ability to stage a successful Carifta Games next year.
His comments come as JAAA president, Garth Gayle, announced that they have received official word from Sports Minister Olivia Grange confirming government support to stage the 49th edition of the Games in April 2022.
Gayle made the announcement on Saturday, during the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Special Congress.
In a press release yesterday, the JAAA said that support was pending the finalisation of approvals from the relevant government ministries.
Jamaica was asked to step in after Guyana indicated that they would not be able to fulfil their hosting obligations.
Eatmon says that the five-month preparation window between now and April is workable, once details have been finalised.
“If we get all the approvals, I don’t see why the JAAA can’t get it done. Once we have the financial support as well, we can get it done because we are used to doing these things rather quickly,” Eatmon told The Gleaner.
Bermuda were scheduled to host the 2020 edition, but they announced their inability because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the dates being moved twice this year, the competition was cancelled for the second consecutive year because of issues regarding Bermuda’s COVID-19 restrictions.
NACAC President Mike Sands says that the backing from the Jamaican Government was a pleasant surprise and a relief to the organisation, removing the doubts placed on the competition’s immediate future.
“It now takes out of the equation the uncertainty as to where the Games would be held. It now gives the coaches and the athletes the opportunity to be able to focus and prepare themselves, although time is very short,”Sands said.
It will be the seventh time that Jamaica will stage the Carifta Games and the first since 2011, when Montego Bay hosted the region’s junior athletes.
When asked about potential requirements for the athletes, including a vaccination mandate, Eatmon says that it would be dependent on the terms of the approval document.
“I can’t say what the position will be, but it will be up to the Ministry of Health to determine what the conditions of the approval are,” Eatmon said. “But we are hoping that by that time the vaccination rate will be high and we will be able to have it without any major issues.”
Additionally, Eatmon says that they are being cautious regarding any chances of fans being allowed to attend the event. Sands expressed optimism about Jamaica’s chances, but concurs that they will be guided by any mandate issued by local authorities.
“It is our fervent hope that fans would be allowed, given the circumstances, whatever protocol is necessary. We have to be guided obviously by the Government and the respective authorities mandate,” Sands said. “So we are hoping that next year the world and everything else will be in a better place so we can have fans, even if it is restricted.”