TT brace for record Carifta

TRINIDAD and Tobago are set to host the biggest and best organised Carifta Games ever, over the Easter weekend for the region’s outstanding junior athletes.

Yesterday, Ken Doldron, president of the National Amateur Athletics Association (NAAA) confirmed that 25 countries, including first timers Haiti will start arriving today for the three-day track and field fiesta at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. “We expect more than 550 athletes and supporters coming for the Carifta Games which exceed the 422 who attended last year’s championships in Bermuda,” Doldron, a former top Army officer said. Doldron’s assessment of the impending record-breaking turnout has been corroborated by Victor Lopez, president of the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Athletic Confederation who said, judging by the response to invitations, the number of participants destined for Port-of-Spain will set new standards.

Doldron said, included in the Bahamas contingent will be their Prime Minister while other teams will be accompanied by the respective Ministers of Sport including Bermuda who will be hosting next year’s championships. With three days to go before the competition begins in earnest, Doldron said several areas of concern still exist about the Hasely Crawford Stadium but he is optimistic that everything will be sorted out in time for the big show. Doldron said among the problems being addressed is the absence of warm-up facilities, while the Mondo track needs remarking and the inner banking must be set up before weekend.

He said the Stadium’s Management is working with the Organising Committee of the Carifta Games to have the problems resolved. He confirmed a bond of $400,000 has been posted by the NAAA for the provision of the photo-finish equipment which will be flown in from the US today and set up and monitored by three technicians. “We have been assured that within two minutes of the finish of a track event, results and a photo will be ready and posted on the website. A back-up will also be put in place and activated within five minutes if the main system fails,” said Doldron.

Technical delegate appointed by the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF), Frank Racming will be responsible for verifying equipment and the track and field specifications at the venue and examination of the passports of all athletes. He may be the highest ranking official from the world body present as president of the IAAF Lamine Diack has yet to confirm his intention to attend although previously pledging to do so. “The world situation with regards the war in Iraq may have some effect on Diack being here this weekend,” said Doldron yesterday. The NAAA president said members of the Trinidad team are all here and ready to do well while the Tobago athletes are expected at the Games Village at the Crowne Plaza tomorrow. Doldron said in an effort to attract spectators a “peppercorn” admittance fee of $15 for the main covered stand for adults will be charged while children must pay $10. General stadium seating for adults is $10.