April 21, 2025 – Today, I join the global community in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a spiritual shepherd whose life was marked by humility, courage, and a deep commitment to humanity.

I recall with great reverence my meeting with the Holy Father. In our exchange, his heart for the poor and suffering, his compassion for the displaced people of Haiti, and his concern for the existential threat of climate change revealed a man of profound faith who understood the urgency of justice in our time.

Pope Francis went beyond leading the Catholic Church he opened its doors wider. His papacy re-centered the Church’s moral voice on the teachings of Jesus Christ: love without exception, mercy without condition, and service without reward. He reminded us that the Church must walk with the wounded, speak for the voiceless, and care above all for the poor.

As the world reflects on his legacy, we remember his call to be stewards of the Earth and protectors of the vulnerable. In the Caribbean, where the impacts of climate change are felt daily, his voice was among the loudest calling for equity and responsibility. And in Haiti, he never turned away from suffering—he insisted we look closer, act bolder, and love deeper.

Ann and I, together with the people of The Bahamas, extend our deepest condolences to the Catholic faithful, to the people of the Vatican, and to all those touched by Pope Francis’ remarkable ministry. May his soul rest in peace, and may we honour him best by living lives rooted in compassion and service.

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

By LEDEDRA MARCHE
Bahamas Information Services

GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas – Confident that Team Bahamas will once again do the country proud at the CARIFTA Games, Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey told the Grand Bahama contingent worshipping at New Destiny Kingdom Center on Sunday, April 13, 2025 that they were already stars.

The 2025 CARIFTA  Aquatics and Athletics Championships are being held in Trinidad and Tobago from April 19-22.

Minister Moxey reminded the outstanding athletes that it is because of their dedication, discipline and determination they have been chosen and that they symbolize the hope, strength and resilience that the residents of Grand Bahama are known for.

“You athletes are about to represent our beautiful island and proudly carry The Bahamas’ banner with pride at the CARIFTA Games in Trinidad. Today we unite to celebrate this achievement and we want you to know that you are already champions in our eyes,” she said.

Cognizant that their journey has not been easy, Minister Moxey said they stayed the course — rising early, training hard and making sacrifices.

She pointed out that the athletes are now standing on the edge of greatness; carrying their dreams, hopes and pride in Grand Bahama Island with them.

Minister Moxey encouraged the athletes, as they step on to the track, field or into the pool, to represent The Bahamas with excellence.

“Compete with heart and remember that your island and your nation are cheering you on every step of the way. Go forward knowing that you and your coaches are covered in prayer; surrounded by love and supported by a proud Grand Bahama family,” she said.

“May God’s favour go before you, may he protect each of you on this journey and may His Grace carry you to victory.”

Representatives from the City of Freeport Council were also in attendance, and Chief Councillor Kendal Culmer also brought remarks.

PHOTO CAPTION – Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey encouraged the Grand Bahama contingent of Team Bahamas worshipping at New Destiny Kingdom Center on Sunday, April 13, 2025 before they left to compete in the 2025 CARIFTA Aquatics and Athletics Championships in Trinidad and Tobago set for April 19-22.

(BIS Photos/Andrew Miller)