In an unprecedented move for Barbadian athletics, a historic contingent of 60 competitors has been selected to represent the nation at the upcoming CARIFTA Athletic Championships in Grenada, scheduled from April 4-6. The team, officially unveiled at the Usain Bolt Complex, includes three sets of siblings, underscoring a deep well of familial talent within the island’s track and field program.
Noel Lynch, President of the Athletics Association of Barbados (AAB), acknowledged the substantial financial investment of $110,000 required to field the team, describing it as a ‘hefty’ but justified price tag. He expressed profound confidence in the squad’s caliber, revealing that 38 athletes had secured their places by achieving outright qualifying standards—a testament to the program’s strength and depth. ‘This is a very strong team, a good team,’ Lynch stated, while candidly admitting to setbacks involving overseas scholarship holders whose university commitments precluded their participation.
Despite these absences, which may slightly weaken certain event areas, Lynch projected a particularly strong performance for Barbados. He refrained from specific medal predictions but instead praised the efficacy of the AAB’s junior development program and the critical contributions of both affiliated and independent coaches. A notable shift in strategy will see Barbados compete in every relay event, a first in recent memory. This approach has allowed for the inclusion of athletes who, while not hitting exact qualifying marks, demonstrated proximity to the standard and possess value for developmental or relay squad roles.
The administrative and coaching framework for the Games will be led by Team Manager Angela Jackson and Head Coach Desiree Gamble. They will be supported by a team of assistants including Jarad Murray, Alwyn Babb, Kerrie Beckles, Althea Belgrave, Ramon Armstrong, and Bryan Holder.
Looking beyond the imminent competition, President Lynch announced Barbados’s formal intention to bid for hosting the 2028 CARIFTA Games. This ambition is directly tied to the progress of the new National Stadium in Waterford, which is reportedly ahead of schedule. Lynch confirmed receiving assurances from the Minister of Sports and Community Development that the facility will be fully functional, with completion targeted for late 2027 or the first quarter of 2028 at the latest, paving the way for a potential home Games celebration.