Credit: LoopCaribbeanNews
I’m pretty sure we all enjoyed the long weekend. I’ll admit I enjoyed it so much that I almost forgot about the CARIFTA 2022 Games held in Kingston, Jamaica. Nonetheless, after looking at the closing games, there is so much to unpack. The regionalism, the prowess, the pride, the showmanship, and the “not so good” parts! Let’s get into it.
Jamaica Got Speed
Jamaica never fails to disappoint! Jamaica maintains their CARIFTA record! From Boys and Girls Champs April 2022 straight to CARIFTA Games, the Yardies maintained position, support and stamina! What a record copping 45 gold medals, 29 silver and 18 bronze, bringing the total to a whopping 92 medals, securing the most medals at the games. Also adding to their already held 1640 medals between 1990 to 2019, making this their 44th win since the start of the games in 1972. Some commentators at the games stated that Team TTO had the Jamaicans under pressure, giving them a good run for their money. But nonetheless, the Jamaicans secured first place at the male and female under 17 relays and the under 20 relays, highlighting the speed in their veins. However, the night ended in tears for some as Ms. Rushana Dwyer was disqualified from the U20 girls 800m for jostling and obstruction, breaching World Athletics Rule 17.2.2.
BVI Got Talent
Adeajah Hodge was the eventual Winner of the Austin Sealey award for top athlete at the 2022 games. This is the first ever win of the award for the British Virgin Islands Team, finally emerging from the shadows and showcasing what the BVI has been cooking up. This win breaks Jamaica’s stronghold from the 2018 and 2019 games retained by Ms. Brianna Williams. The unanimous decision is well deserved as Ms. Hodge secured three gold medals for the British Virgin Islands Team in the U17 100, 200m and long jump.
Team TTO Got Grit
Team TTO now replaces The Bahamas as second place holders of the most medals at the games. At the 2022 games, the team obtained 2 gold medals, 11 silver, 10 bronze, a total of 23 medals, raising their total holding to 624 medals. At the closing games, the U17 and U20 mens relay team put up an extremely fierce fight securing silver for the evening.
Unfiltered Opinions
1. Local Support, it is lacking!
Between Boys and Girls Champs 2022 and the 49th CARIFTA games, Jamaican Members of Parliament, local artistes and Olympians such as Elaine Thompson-Heerah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Prycr and Natoya Goule showed up and showed out to support their own. I know that Jamaican pride is unmatched, and flying to support our own may be a reach right now, but do we really support without visible success? Who shows up to support? Who advertises? Are our citizens even aware of the events that are taking place? It’s time for us to do better and be better!
2. Broadcasting
I was a bit disappointed that fewer local stations opted for streaming rights and even more disappointed that no media group appreciated the value of retaining broadcasting rights at such prolific games to the extent that they didn’t venture abroad to capture and retain momentous footage. Surprising to say, there is not much footage to be shared on social media of team TTO due to the lack of efficiency in this area. Said footage that can be aired repeatedly to the advantage of team TTO and increase up and coming awareness of the games locally and serve as motivation for upcoming athletes. When one widens the lense, Jamaica is perhaps the only Commonwealth Caribbean island that understands the value of this to the extent that it has become the subject of litigation in Television Jamaica v CVM (2016).
3. Advertising – Locally and Regionally
I considered why I was ignorant to the streaming of the games and I realised that poor advertising also played a part. Had I not checked the schedule programming for TV, I would not have realised. We have a lot of work to do when it comes to advertising, especially where advertising works to the benefit of supporting our own and fostering healthier regional showmanship. I understand the revenue constraints and streams, but innovation would be keenly appreciated in the revitalisation of the games post pandemic. Further, with the pending 50th anniversary of the games approaching, there is a lot of work to be done to demonstrate more progress. It is not merely about participation, but the development better regional relationships, local pride, healthier sportsmanship and even more all rounded citizens.
4. Forward Thinking – Olympics
Several commentators noted that this is the best display of the region’s talents, however, very few do not dream beyond the CARIFTA Games. Access to resources to further pursue Olympics, sponsorship, mentoring and motivation are some of the key pillars that should be targeted. Whilst Olympic Committees do stellar jobs at selecting top performers, the richness of local talent should not be overlooked due to these mitigating circumstances.