Jamaica has now confirmed that it will host the 49th edition of the Carifta Games from April 16-18, 2022 at the National Stadium in Kingston.

The Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association (JAAA) has revealed that the event has been sanctioned by the Government of Jamaica, through the office of the Minister of Sport and is expected to attract close to 650 athletes and 150 officials from 27 countries.

The country has also received the blessing of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) and its president, Mike Sands, who is expected to visit the island early next year for a venue inspection.

Meanwhile, the Games will be managed by a local organising committee that has already been put in place and will be chaired by Mike Fennell, president of the Pan Am Games Technical Commission.

JAAA Honorary Secretary Marie Tavares will act as general manager.

A team of expert officials has also been assembled to manage the event and the planning for the event is already under way given the short time span. However, Fennell is confident that they can successfully host the Games, notwithstanding the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jamaica seized the opportunity to host the games after Guyana, the designated hosts for the 2022 edition, indicated that they would not have been able to fulfil that obligation.

Jamaica celebrates several milestones in 2022, including The Games 50th year, Jamaica’s 60th year of independence and the host federation, JAAA’s 90 years of existence.

“The opportunity to host under these kinds of milestones is a tremendous opportunity for Jamaica to host some of the best sporting talent from the region to the world. This event will also offer some insight on what competition from this region could look like at the 18th World Athletics Championships, scheduled for Eugene, Oregon in July 2022,” said JAAA President Garth Gayle.

“The number of other international events which will follow allows the Carifta Games to signal that the youth from the region are ready for competition; that sport is ready and open for business and Jamaica will host the 800+ people from all over in a safe and secure environment.”

This is the eighth time that Jamaica would host the event since 1972 and has topped the medal table 43 of the 48 times the event has been held.