Whose Caribbean is this?

We offer our congratulations first and foremost to the young athletes and swimmers of the entire Caribbean region who spent their Easter weekend demonstrating not just their prowess but also the rich athletic talent of the area during the just-concluded CARIFTA championships. We salute the various national federations and sporting bodies as well as the supportive governments, sponsors and the hard-working officials who gave up their holiday weekend to ensure the success of the events.

The 2024 edition of the track and field and swimming championships, whilst under the original and narrowing name of CARIFTA, again encompassed the wider non-CARICOM countries of the region, providing another opportunity to showcase the sporting talent of this region. In so doing it demonstrated once again that these CARIFTA championships, particularly in track and field, continues to be one of the premier age-group events of its type in the entire world.

But besides the on-field and in-the-pool events, the championships gave us reason to reflect on wider issues. For instance, during all the tragedy and confusion confronting the people of Haiti, the resilience of its people was borne out by the participation of courageous young people representing their country. A more striking manifestation of faith in the future and one’s country would be hard to imagine. Even after the conclusion of the games, many are still wondering how they made it.

Without distracting from the Games, the participation of the young athletes forced us to extend our thoughts to the troubled and extremely hazardous situation facing the people of Haiti, a full CARICOM member-state.

Without a functioning state, the poor people of Haiti are at the mercy of those who wield guns and employ terror.

Frantic diplomatic efforts to try and resolve the situation are being stymied by those who benefit from the state of lawlessness as well as international forces, some with a sordid record of military intervention in Haiti and which, while preaching respect for the rule of law, are more interested in ensuring the installation of a client regime and access to Haiti’s valuable mineral resources.

CARICOM with no army of its own, and pressured by those countries which possess military might, is in a very difficult situation in its attempts to help the Haitian people.

Another perennial off-the field- and outside-the-pool issue was again thrown up in the participation of the 27 countries participating in the Games. Only recently, UWI Vice Chancellor, Sir Hilary Beckles addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations. Foremost among the issues raised was that of completing the decolonization of the Caribbean. It remains an incomplete task. The CARIFTA Games participation again revealed that half of the participating nations were non-independent, still governed by some European/North American power.

The clamour for independence for these remaining colonies is complicated by the fact that the colonial powers have used their power and wealth to convince many of the citizens of these countries that colonial subjugation is better than independent status. While independence is an inalienable right, the free will of citizens must also be respected.

So, the Games, so athletically rewarding to our young folk, reminded us of the great unfinished tasks to enable the Caribbean peoples under British, French, Dutch and American colonization, of the need to rid the region of foreign rule. The political education of our young people is a necessary step in accomplishing that goal.