- Simba French
- 4 hrs ago
- 0
The much anticipated 30th CARIFTA Swimming Championships is now 99 days away, officially launched at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s Building yesterday. The event is set for March 28 to April 7, 2024, at what will be a renovated Betty Kelly-Kenning National Swim Complex.
President of the Bahamas Aquatics Federation Algernon Cargill spoke about the opportunity for the athletes to be performing at home. This is the first time The Bahamas hosted the meet since 2017.
Cargill serves as the vice chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC). He said the LOC has a goal to raise $1 million to put on the event.
“Winning our sixth title at home will not be easy and we will certainly need the support of all Bahamians, particularly corporate Bahamas, to support the marketing efforts of the Local Organizing Committee. Our goal is to raise $1 million and while this has never been done before by the federation, we believe that it is indeed possible. We ask corporate Bahamas and every Bahamian citizen to support Team Bahamas by contributing any amount to this fundraising goal,” Cargill said.
The Bahamas will take part in all three disciplines of the meet – swimming, open water swimming and water polo.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg spoke to the importance of the event, stating that it brings the top junior aquatic athletes in the region together to compete.
“This is a momentous occasion. It is a testament to our commitment to youth excellence, sportsmanship and the undeniable passion we have for sports. We are honored to open our doors to welcome the talented individuals to our shores. As we prepare to host this exhilarating competition, we do so with the intention of defending our title with pride, determination, and the undeniable spirit that characterizes The Bahamas. Our swimmers have showcased their prowess in the pool, and we are confident that, with the support of our community, we will continue to make a splash on the regional stage,” Bowleg said.
It is no secret that the national swim complex is currently under renovation. Bowleg assured that the venue will be ready for the championships and thanked their partners for their commitment.
“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our partners who have played an integral role in making this event possible. The renovations at our stadium, which will serve as the epicenter of this meet, would not have been possible without their support. Their commitment to the success of this event mirrors our own dedication, and we are immensely grateful for their collaboration,” said the minister.
Swimming in his final CARIFTA Games is Grand Bahama native Marvin Johnson who swims in the boys 15-17 age group. It will be his first time swimming at CARIFTA at home. He encourages Bahamians to come out and support the team, stating that they will put on a show, going for a sixth straight title.
“For my last CARIFTA to be at home in The Bahamas, it means a lot to me, not only to represent The Bahamas but also to swim in front of family and friends who have never seen me do it before. I know swimming is not a popular sport and we do not get as much recognition that we deserve but being on the team for the past five consecutive championships, I can say that we are full of heart and we love to represent The Bahamas,” he said.
Elle TheBerge, who swims in the girls 15-17 age group, is looking to make the team for a third time.
“Being able to participate with my teammates and compete as a family means a lot. I am glad that we are having it here next year. It will be good to participate at home and swim in front of my family and friends,” TheBerge said.
The meet features the 11-12, 13-14 and 15-17 age groups. This edition has a twist to it, featuring an 18-and-over category for the 50-, 100- and 200-meter races in all of the strokes. Those who compete in that age bracket will be competing for medals and not points. It was introduced because the CARIFTA Championships will be a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and the World Swimming Championships.
The swimming discipline of the meet gets underway on Saturday March 30 and wraps up on Tuesday April 2. The open water swimming competition will be held on Wednesday April 3 at Goodman’s Bay. Water polo will close out the championships, from Thursday April 4 to Saturday April 6. There are 24 countries that have been invited to participate.