S C H E D U L E    O F    E V E N T S

The 2025 CARIFTA Athletics Games will be held at Hasely Crawford Stadium from April 19–21, while the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships take place at the National Aquatic Centre from April 19–22, with Open Water events on April 23 at Five Islands Beach.

Friday April 18, 2025

52nd CARIFTA Athletics Games and the XXXVIII CARIFTA Aquatics Championships Opening Ceremony

• Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad
• Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
• Admission Free

Saturday April 19, 2025

Athletics – Hasely Crawford Stadium: Port of Spain, Trinidad

Morning Session – Starts 9:00 AM

• Boy’s U20 Decathlon 100m Heats
• Girl’s U17 High Jump Final
• Girl’s U17 Javelin Throw Final
• Girl’s U20 Shot Put Final
• U17 & U20 100m and 400m Semi-Finals
• Boy’s U17 Octathlon 100m Heats
• Boy’s U20 Decathlon Long Jump & Shot Put

Afternoon Session – Starts 4:00 PM

• Medal Ceremonies
• U17 & U20 Finals: 100m, 400m, 1500m
• Girl’s U20 Triple Jump Final
• Girl’s U17 Discus Final
• Boy’s U20 Discus & High Jump
• Boy’s U17 Triple Jump & Shot Put
• Special Olympics 100m (Girls & Boys)
• Mixed Open 4x400m Relay Final
• Pole Vault & Octathlon/Decathlon 400m Heats

Aquatics – National Aquatic Centre: Couva, Trinidad

Morning Session – Starts 9:00 AM

• Girl’s 800m Freestyle (slowest heats)
• Boy’s 1500m Freestyle (slowest heats)
• Prelims:
  • 200m Breaststroke (11-12, 13-14, 15-17)
  • 50m Backstroke (11-12, 13-14, 15-17)
  • 100m Butterfly (11-12, 13-14, 15-17)
  • 4x100m Freestyle Relay (all age groups)

Evening Session – Starts 6:00 PM

• Girl’s 800m & Boy’s 1500m Freestyle (fastest heats)
• Finals:
  • 200m Breaststroke
  • 50m Backstroke
  • 100m Butterfly
  • 4x100m Freestyle Relay (all age groups)

Sunday April 20, 2025

Athletics – Hasely Crawford Stadium: Port of Spain, Trinidad

Morning Session – Starts 9:00 AM

• Boy’s U20 Decathlon 110m Hurdles, Discus, Pole Vault
• Girl’s U20 Shot Put Final
• Boy’s U20 Long Jump Final
• Boy’s U17 Octathlon 110m Hurdles, High Jump
• Girl’s Open Heptathlon: 100m Hurdles, High Jump
• U17 & U20 400m Hurdles & 200m Semi-Finals
• Girl’s U17 Discus Final

Afternoon Session – Starts 4:00 PM

• Medal Ceremonies
• U17 & U20 4x100m Relay Semi-Finals
• Girl’s Open Heptathlon: Shot Put, 200m
• Boy’s U17 Octathlon: Javelin, 1500m
• U17 & U20 800m Semi-Finals
• U17 3000m, U20 3000m, Shot Put, Long Jump, High Jump, Javelin
• Finals: 400m Hurdles, 4x100m Relays, Mixed 4x400m
• More Medal Ceremonies

Aquatics – National Aquatic Centre: Couva, Trinidad

Morning Session – Starts 9:00 AM

• Prelims:
  • 200m Freestyle (11-12, 13-14, 15-17)
  • 50m Butterfly (11-12, 13-14, 15-17)
  • 100m Backstroke (11-12, 13-14, 15-17)
  • 4x100m Medley Relay (all age groups)
• Slower heats: 400m Individual Medley

Evening Session – Starts 6:00 PM

• Finals:
  • 200m Freestyle
  • 50m Butterfly
  • 100m Backstroke
  • 4x100m Medley Relay
• Fastest heats: 400m Individual Medley

Monday April 21, 2025

Athletics – Hasely Crawford Stadium: Port of Spain, Trinidad

Morning Session – Starts 9:00 AM

Morning Session – Starts 9:00 AM

• Girl’s U17 & U20 100m Hurdles – Semi-Finals
• Boy’s U17 & U20 110m Hurdles – Semi-Finals
• Girl’s Open Heptathlon: Long Jump
• Girl’s U20 High Jump Final
• Boy’s U17 Long Jump & Discus Final
• 4x400m Relay Semi-Finals (U17 & U20 – Girls and Boys)

Afternoon Session – Starts 3:00 PM

• Medal Ceremonies
• Finals:
  • All Hurdle Events (U17 & U20)
  • Girl’s U20 Discus Throw
  • Girl’s U17 Triple Jump
  • Boy’s U20 Shot Put
  • Girl’s U17 & Boy’s U20 800m
  • Girl’s & Boy’s U17 and U20 200m
  • Boy’s U20 Triple Jump
  • Girl’s U17 Javelin Final
  • Boy’s U20 5000m
  • Special Olympics 200m (Girls & Boys)
• Girl’s Open Heptathlon: Javelin & 800m
• 4x400m Relay Finals (U17 & U20 – Girls and Boys)
• Closing Ceremony

April 17, 2025 – The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) has announced the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) approval of three critical climate resilience projects for St. Kitts and Nevis and The Bahamas. The projects, collectively securing nearly US$6.73M in funding, will support national adaptation planning and climate-smart agricultural initiatives to strengthen regional resilience against climate change impacts.

St. Kitts and Nevis secured an approved funding allocation of US$732,616.00 to develop the St. Kitts and Nevis Climate Smart Agriculture Project (SKN CSA-P) through the GCF’s Project Preparation Facility (PPF). The PPF grant proposal received formal approval on 14 February 2025.

The PPF grant will be used to fully develop the SKN CSA Project through several critical studies, such as a Feasibility Study, Environmental and Social Action Plan, and Gender Assessment and Action Plan. Designed to advance sustainable agricultural practices, the SKN CSA-P aims to strengthen food security, enhance climate resilience, and mitigate environmental degradation across the twin-island nation.

The twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is poised to strengthen its national adaptation efforts through strategic investments in institutional capacity-building, policy development, and climate risk assessments—critical components for fostering long-term climate resilience. Formally approved on 10 March 2025, this initiative will be driven by the Building Resilience Through National Adaptation Planning in St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN-NAP) Project, which has successfully secured US$2,998,365.00 in funding.

Spearheaded by Ryan Phillip, Project Development Specialist at the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), the SKN-NAP project will enhance the country’s ability to anticipate, plan for, and respond to climate challenges. By integrating climate risk considerations into national policies and strengthening institutional frameworks, this initiative will lay the groundwork for a more resilient and climate-adaptive future for St. Kitts and Nevis.

Phillip shared, “The development of a National Adaptation Plan for St. Kitts and Nevis marks a pivotal milestone in the country’s efforts to build resilience against the impacts of climate change. This initiative will establish a clear roadmap for strengthening adaptive capacity and addressing climate vulnerabilities through targeted interventions. Through this process, St. Kitts and Nevis will be better equipped to anticipate, plan for, and respond to climate challenges. Additionally, it will enhance the country’s ability to attract much-needed financial resources to implement large-scale climate-adaptation initiatives in key sectors such as health, tourism, and agriculture. I am grateful to have spearheaded the development of this proposal and deeply appreciate the support of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) throughout this process and their ongoing commitment to supporting Small Island Developing States (SIDS).”

The Bahamas also secured US$2,999,997.00 in funding through the approval of the Advancing National Adaptation Planning in The Bahamas (BAH-NAP) Project. Formally approved on 18 February 2025, this transformative initiative is designed to enhance the country’s long-term climate resilience by embedding climate adaptation strategies into national policies and planning frameworks.

Dr. Donneil Cain, Former Lead Project Development Specialist at the CCCCC, led the development of this project, which will strengthen institutional capacity, improve risk management, and ensure that The Bahamas is better equipped to address climate vulnerabilities and future environmental challenges. By mainstreaming climate resilience into national development strategies, the project will foster sustainable growth while safeguarding critical sectors from the impacts of climate change.

This approval underscores the Caribbean’s steadfast dedication to proactive climate action and resilience-building. Continuing to build on the momentum of the recently held GCF Regional Dialogue, the CCCCC reaffirms its unwavering commitment to supporting Caribbean nations in their climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. The CCCCC will continue to collaborate closely with regional governments, international partners, and key stakeholders to mobilise critical resources, drive innovative solutions, and implement strategic interventions that empower vulnerable communities to navigate and thrive amid growing climate challenges.

Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

Dominican Republic, April 17, 2025 – A catastrophic collapse at a popular Santo Domingo nightclub has left the nation in mourning, with the death toll now rising to 225.

The tragedy unfolded on Tuesday April 8 during a merengue concert at the Jet Set club, a longstanding institution famed for its Monday night events that once attracted international celebrities and local dignitaries.

At the time of the collapse, the club was hosting a performance by the beloved singer Rubby Pérez.

In the moments before disaster struck, eyewitnesses captured video footage showing fragments of the roof beginning to fall, triggering a frantic scramble as concertgoers attempted to escape.

As the entire roof eventually caved in, panic spread rapidly through the crowded venue.  Rescue teams later managed to extract 189 survivors from the rubble, although more than 200 people sustained injuries, with 15 remaining hospitalized—five of them in critical condition.

News reports from AP and Sky News explained:  Among the casualties were prominent figures from various sectors of Dominican society.

Political leaders, athletes, and even a fashion designer were enjoying the evening when the collapse occurred.  Notably, former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera were confirmed among those who perished.  In a particularly heart-wrenching account, Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, was discovered under the debris and later succumbed to her injuries in the hospital.

The disaster also claimed the life of Rubby Pérez, whose body was found early on Wednesday despite initial reports suggesting he had been rescued.

His manager, Enrique Paulino, noted that the band’s saxophonist was also among the victims.

The chaos extended beyond the stage; relatives of those who were injured or killed expressed deep anguish as they awaited identification of their loved ones at the national forensics institute.  Many gathered outside the facility, wearing face masks and voicing their frustrations amid pervasive reports of a foul odor.

Officials have yet to determine the cause of the collapse, and an in-depth investigation is now underway.  Early inquiries indicate that structural deficiencies may have played a role, though the precise circumstances remain unclear.  Firefighters, working relentlessly, removed slabs of broken concrete and constructed makeshift planks in their desperate effort to reach and rescue those trapped underneath the wreckage.  The arduous recovery effort lasted for 53 hours nonstop before authorities declared the search complete.

Further compounding public dismay are concerns about routine inspections of buildings in the Dominican Republic, particularly for long-standing establishments like Jet Set, which first opened its doors in 1973.

The club had undergone several renovations, notably in 2010 and 2015, and even survived a lightning strike in 2023.  Despite its storied past and popularity, questions now remain about the adequacy of safety measures and regulatory oversight in venues catering to large crowds.

The government has pledged to fully investigate the disaster, leaving no stone unturned to uncover the truth behind this catastrophic failure. In the interim, the nation grapples with both the loss of cherished lives and the urgent need for stringent safety reforms to prevent such a tragedy from ever occurring again.