Mike Sands is upbeat and positive that Jamaica will be an excellent host of the Carifta Games which will be staged at the National Stadium on Easter weekend. Sands, president of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC), visited Jamaica to speak with the Government and the JAAA as the countdown to the games race to under 100 days.

“We are pleased and happy that Jamaica has taken up the challenge to host the Carifta Games at short notice. We have less than 100 days to go and it’s exciting to know that the Games will return to Jamaica after a short hiatus.”

Accompanied by general secretary Keith Josephs, consultations and inspections were held thick and fast between Thursday the 6th and Friday the 7th of January, 2022.

“The cancellation of the games over the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic has not dampened the enthusiasm of the regional athletes and officials. The Carifta Games have always produced diamonds in the rough and stars are born, and we expect that this particular Carifta Games in Jamaica will be no exception, and so we are very, very excited for this is happening in Jamaica. We are satisfied that, with the enthusiasm that is being shown for these games, hopefully, we will get back on track with some normalcy,” Sands said.

Sands said that he is happy that the government of Jamaica has committed to assist with the staging of the three-day event. He noted that the Local Organising Committee has progressed well under the leadership of the venerable and experienced sports administrator Mike Fennell.

Guyana should have been the hosts this year but decided to decline late in the game so Jamaica stepped in as hosts.

“We all know that Jamaica has been the perennial powerhouse of the region and all of our athletes from the inception of the Carifta Games in 1972 to now, the vast majority I would say, of our athletes, have come through the system, so we all understand and appreciate the significance of what the Carifta Games means to the development of our sport throughout our region,” Sands said.

“Of course, a number of our member federations will be looking to coming here and also to give Jamaica even more of a challenge due to the fact they have done so well, but I don’t expect Jamaica to lie down and allow that to happen, so I think, hopefully, we can have fans, whether live or televised, that will be watching these Games and cheering them on, and the athletes are very excited to get started,” he concluded.

The full video interview can be seen on this YouTube Channel.