GEORGETOWN, Guyana – A new chapter in Caribbean athletics is being written as Guyana officially kickstarts preparations to host the 2027 CariftaGames, marking the first time in history the nation will welcome the region’s premier youth track and field championship.
With the prestigious event scheduled for March 27-29, 2027, at the National Track and Field Centre in Leonora, a high-powered delegation from the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) has arrived on Guyanese soil to launch the initial assessment phase.
Led by NACAC president Michael Sands and Technology Commission Chair John-Paul Clarke, the regional athletics governing body conducted an extensive walkthrough of the Leonora facility on Monday, evaluating the venue that will serve as the centrepiece of the three-day spectacle.
The site visit brought together key stakeholders, with Ministers of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr and Steven Jacobs joining Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, National Sports Commission vice-chairperson Cristy Campbell, and Guyana Athletics Association president Sheryl Hermonstine alongside the NACAC officials.
The joint inspection allowed regional and local authorities to assess the country’s current infrastructure and map out the logistical blueprint required to deliver a successful championship.
Critical discussions centred on facility upgrades, technical operations, security arrangements, host capacity, and overall event readiness.
“This represents a monumental occasion for Guyanese sport,” the delegation noted during the visit, as the nation prepares to welcome the Caribbean’s finest junior athletes.
The awarding of the 2027 edition to Guyana carries profound significance for the country’s sporting fraternity. Despite being a long-standing participant in the CariftaGames and consistently producing standout athletes who shine across regional and international circuits, the nation has never before hosted the event.
First inaugurated in Barbados in 1972 by Austin Sealy to mark the historic transition from the Caribbean Free Trade Association (Carifta) to the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the annual competition has evolved into the Caribbean’s ultimate proving ground for junior athletic talent, launching countless careers on the global stage.
For Guyana, the 2027 Games represent more than just a hosting opportunity; they signal the nation’s emergence as a legitimate destination for major regional sporting events and a chance to showcase its athletic infrastructure and hospitality to the Caribbean community.
With the groundwork now officially underway, all eyes will be on Guyana’s progress as it embarks on this historic journey to deliver a memorable edition of the region’s most anticipated junior athletics championship.
CMC
