The focus for CARIFTA Games 2021 will now shift to host, Guyana, since this year’s event which was scheduled to be held in Bermuda has been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Several events across the globe have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak which was declared a pandemic this week.
According to an email seen by this publication, after consultation with the Executive Board of NACAC and the leadership of the Bermuda National Athletics Association, it was mutually agreed to cancel the CARIFTA Games that were scheduled to take place in Hamilton, Bermuda April 10-13, 2020.
In the email, it stated the following…
“This decision was not taken lightly but in the best interest of all stakeholders against the backdrop of the rapidly evolving situation with regard to the COVID-19 across the globe and supported by the World Health Organization declaring a global pandemic, which has led several countries, regardless of size, political ideology or wealth, to close their borders, cease travel and stop mass gatherings.
“I have been advised that the Bermudian government has also announced a series of measures it is taking, with immediate effect, to protect its citizens. As have the governments of many of our CARIFTA family members.
“Your NACAC Executive Board, in collaboration with the Bermuda National Athletics Association will continue to monitor all future developments with the view of the Bermuda 2020 CARIFTA Games being placed back on the calendar at the earliest possible date shortly after an all clear is given to resume normalcy.
“With this in mind I urge you to maintain your athletes fitness level for this eventuality. You are also welcomed to make suggestions for alternative dates.
“In the meantime I once again encourage you to please continue following the advisories from your respective health and governmental agencies in a collective effort to overcome this temporary setback.”
According to president of the Athletic Association of Guyana, Aubrey Hutson, he is 100% supportive of the move noting that Bermuda could not guarantee the safety of athletes traveling there for the Games.
Hutson however stated that the two-day ‘Early Season Classic’ scheduled for this weekend at the National Track and Field Centre which was a qualifier for the Games is still on since “our athletes still have other events to prepare for later in the year.”
Hutson noted that the meet this weekend will be of a high calibre since several overseas based athletes have returned in an effort to qualify for various events, including the South American U-23 Games, South AmericanU-20 Games, The World U-20 Championships and the Olympics.
“Our event is still on since we have other events to prepare for later in the year. We want to give our athletes a chance to have some competition under their belt ahead of the latter part of the season” Hutson reasoned.
