Guyana to host 2027 Carifta Games, 2028 Games set for Barbados

NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC):

Guyana has stepped forward to host the 2027 Carifta Games, just one week after St Kitts withdrew its bid to host the Caribbean’s top track and field sporting event.

Guyana’s decision to host the Games was revealed by the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) yesterday. It was also also announced that Barbados had taken responsibility to host the Games in 2028.

The news comes exactly one week after St Kitts pulled out of hosting the 2027 Games, with the St Kitts-Nevis Athletics Association and the St Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee citing that it was “not the most ideal time” for the island.

NACAC Athletics said the commitments followed the swift intervention and support of the 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,” NACAC Athletics President Mike 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 is expected to engage the relevant authorities in Guyana and Barbados to support early planning for both editions while continuing discussions with CARICOM leaders on a more sustainable framework for athletics and major youth sporting events in the Caribbean.