Carifta 2025 – SVG’s efforts and looking ahead

The 2025 Carifta Games, as well as Carifta Aquatics Championships have ended after three and five days of competition in Trinidad and Tobago, when lumped, spanned April 19 to April 23.

For St Vincent and the Grenadines, it was a tale of two sides, as, for the second year in succession, the Track and Field representatives failed to occupy a spot on the podium, whereas among the swimmers, six medals were reeled in.

In the case of the Vincentian swimmers, it was the eleventh consecutive occasion that they were returning with at least one medal from their sojourn.

This year saw the six medals copped by three swimmers, with Kione De Shong taking gold, silver and bronze, all in Breaststroke events.

Next was Caghry Williams, who won a silver and bronze, both in the Breaststroke, while Kennice Greene collected a bronze in the Butterfly.

At the end of the medal count, St Vincent and the Grenadines ended in 12th position of the 20 participating countries, scoring 75 points.

Overall, in terms of results, when Juxtaposed, Track and Field was medal-less and positioned among the non-performers.

Without a doubt, swimming continues to be the beacon, relative to returns at the Carifta level, almost assuring St Vincent and the Grenadines is part of the highlight reels, whenever the events are documented and reviewed.

As a benchmark, medals and accomplishments are the ultimate rewards for the athletes and coaches’ efforts and sacrifices, parents and other well wishers’ input as well as the private and public sectors input.

Hence, when attained they are glorified and bring that good feeling to the entire country.

From the surface though, one will quickly assess that Swimming is miles ahead of Track and Field, relative to St Vincent and the Grenadines’ stacking of the sporting disciplines.

At the Carifta stage, Swimming will more consistently rake in medals as they have the privilege of three closely configured age groups, 11-12, 13-14 and 15-17, whereas in Track and Field, there are two broad age categories, Under- 17 and Under- 20.

Of note too, swimmers are exposed to more regional competitions, given the pronounced gulf in the socio-economic status of the parents.

Critically, unlike Track and Field, parents of swimmers follow them around on overseas meets, hence that support goes beyond mere providing all their needs.

Irrespective of the major nuances that may challenge the output for those who represent the country in Track and Field, it is rift for a reassessment of the selection policies, programmes- inclusive of competitions, and a general overhaul of the sport’s modus operandi.

Required is a frank sit down among coaches and the hierarchy of the sport’s administration to devise ways to enhance St Vincent and the Grenadines’ performance at the Carifta Games.

This is mandatory, as we are seeing the gradual shift in powers, with previously unknown and minnows emerging as contenders.

The annual Regional Games, is an integral gauge for the evaluation of the countries’ Track and Field programmes, but unfortunately, St Vincent and the Grenadines is lagging behind.

No longer must our athletes be tagged as participants, but as real contenders.

Conversely, whilst the returns in Swimming are encouraging, the driving force behind the sport, cannot rest on their laurels, but must put the systems in place to ensure we can match up against others in the region.

The challenge is on all round, as the eyes of the region are on a 24 hour-surveillance of what takes place here in St Vincent and the Grenadines relative to the both disciplines.

As it stands, preparations, partnerships, and purpose are the key elements as St Vincent and the Grenadines charts the course to success at the Carifta level.

The will to succeed whilst developing our young human capital, should be the driving force in making the injection of resources viable.

In the interim, let us celebrate with the swimmers and give commiseration to our Track and Field athletes.