CARIFTA Trials welcomes Fans, Votes & TCI’s Celebrated Athletes as they target the Commonwealth Games

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, March 21, 2022 – Five days from now the CARIFTA Trials kicks off and students from across the Turks and Caicos will christen the newly renovated National Stadium in their bid to be chosen to represent the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Organized by the TCI Sports Commission, the CARIFTA trials will be held on March 25 and 26 and athletes who have done well in previous competition will be invited to partake in the athletics meet sponsored by Flow and InterCaribbean Airways.

This year, visitors are welcomed at the Natioanal Stadium, on Venetian Road in Providenciales.

Edith Skippings, president of the Turks and Caicos Islands Amateur Athletics Association, TCIAAA urged residents to show out for their athletes.

“I know it has been a long time since Providenciales has been able to come out to a meet so I am expecting you to come out and cheer our athletes on. Turks and Caicos, support your athletes. TCI athletes are the future of our country,” said Skippings.

There have been several changes to the track and field meet in an attempt to make them safer for participants and spectators.  Among those changes announced by the TCI Sports Commission, so far, is a restriction on backpacks.

New to the 2022 CARIFTA Trials is the Flow Athletes Choice Award which allows the public to vote for their favorite track and field; male and female.

This athlete would be one whom members of the public believe possess great character, outstanding athleticism and a brilliant academic record.

The top male and the top female ‘fan favourites’ will each receive $1000 dollars, courtesy of FlowTCI.

As if that wasn’t exciting enough, this year’s senior athletes looking to qualify for the upcoming Commonwealth Games will also be partaking in the CARIFTA trials.

These will not only be athletes on Island but Turks and Caicos athletes in Jamaica will return home to play as well. In that number is champion sprinter, Delano Williams and record holding, triple jumper Ifeanyichukwu Otuonye.

In this vein, program manager of the Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission, Judith Robinson had a word for the athletes prepping to compete.

“I want to encourage you if you are selected to be part of the team do your best because  you will be on the stage with our Olympic athletes. You will not be representing just you and your school or your family you will be representing the country,” she said

The qualifying meet begin on the 25th with the male U17 100m semi-final starting at 4 PM; events continue until 7:50 PM.

Finals however are set for Saturday, March 26 at 8 AM starting with the U17 1500m and ending with the under 20, 100m dash.

You can vote for your favorite TCI athlete of the year on Flow’s Facebook page. Voting ends March 30, giving you a chance to see those athletes in action before you cast your vote.