CARIFTA canceled for the second year in a row

The 49th edition of the CARIFTA Games, re-scheduled for August 13-15, 2021, at the Bermuda National Sports Centre in Hamilton, Bermuda, has been canceled.

The North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) has taken the decision based on the COVID-19 regulations outlined by the host nation, Bermuda. The Government of Bermuda has maintained that the 14-day quarantine for unvaccinated visitors is non-negotiable, making it highly impractical for there to be an under-17 category as is the norm and for NACAC to stage the region’s premier junior track and field meet. Bermuda, like a number of countries in the region, is experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases. Other potential challenges included the impact of positive COVID-19 tests during the meet, available hotel rooms, and timelines for booking charters and making payments.

CARIFTA 2020 was not staged because of the COVID-19 

pandemic and Bermuda transferred its hosting responsibilities to 2021. Originally scheduled for Easter holiday weekend, this year’s edition was first postponed to July 2-4 and then to August 13-15 in respect of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) external exams. Now, CARIFTA 2021 has been struck from the NACAC calendar altogether.

The NACAC Council regrets the decision to cancel CARIFTA 2021, a press release stated.

“For the second year running, young, hard-working athletes have been denied an opportunity to represent their respective territories at the world’s premier junior track and field competition. To the region’s young athletes, keep training. For those who are eligible for the July 9-11 NACAC U18 (Under-18) and U23 (Under-23) Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica, we encourage you to maintain focus on this competition,” the release stated.

The cancellation of the junior regional meet marks just the second time in the history of the CARIFTA Games that it has been canceled. The first was a year ago when the pandemic first wreaked havoc on sports, and lifestyles in general, the world over.

The 2022 CARIFTA Games is scheduled for Guyana, but with the 2021 event being canceled, there is a possibility that Bermuda will transfer its hosting responsibilities once again. 

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/carifta-canceled-for-the-second-year-in-a-row/