BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE St. Kitts and Nevis Amateur Athletic Association has announced the names of 38 athletes to represent the Federation at the upcoming CARIFTA Games slated to be held at the Silver Jubilee Stadium over the Easter weekend.
Making a guest appearance on ZIZ’s Round Table programme last evening (Mar. 24), President of the SKNAAA Glen Jeffers made the announcement of the team, which is made up of 27 males and 11 females.
He also named some medal prospects who fans could look forward to see at the games.
“I could go on past history. We have Krystal Liburd, a long jumper and triple Jumper who attends the Charles E Mills Secondary School. She was also a finalist in the Youth Olympics. She was also a silver medalist at the last CARIFTA Games. So we are hoping she can bring us another medal and turn that silver into gold.”
“We have a youngster called Tahj Liburd from Nevis, an 800 metres runner. This guy here is very coachable; so we are looking for some good thing from him to put us in the medal hunt.
“We all know Wayne Matthew the sprinter...he has qualified for the World Youth Championships this year. So, he too, we are also looking to put us in the medal hunt. Jermaine Francis, that is the high jumper...he has the national record in the Under-20 Boys and he is only under 18.
“We have not had a sprinter medalling in the Under-20 since Jason Rogers and we think we should do well with Hakeem Huggins, a short powerful fellow in the 100 metres. Another finalist from last year’s CARIFTA is Oniel Thomas, a 400 metres hurdler. He was fourth in the Under-20 Boys last year. So he is one year older and he is familiar with the competitors. We should see him move from fourth to second or first minimum. I am putting pressure on him!
“We have Warren Hazel, a 100, 200 and 400 metres sprinter. He had medalled last year at the Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships. He is looking very sharp in the 200 metres this year and surely can pull another medal in the 400 metres.
“We have Reanda Richards. She too was a finalist in the Under-18 Girls and we are looking forward for her to do well. Kieshona Brooks is our 100 metres hurdler…looking really sharp and I think she should bring us home a medal.”
Jeffers indicated that the other selected athletes could also spring surprises and earn a spot on the medal podium.
“I am putting some pressure on them! I know they are listening and we want them to know the public will be looking for those names I called and some more. I might be missing out some persons in the field events; some of them might be shot put throwers and javelin throwers and could spring surprises.”
He also announced that the team would be managed by Evris Huggins with Donnel Esdaille as head coach, who would be flanked with a good supporting staff including senior national team head coach Lonzo Wilkinson, Stuart Joseph, Timothy Morton, Llewellyn Pyke, John Hyliger, Delroy Saddler.
“They have been working with a squad since last year of over 55 for two sometimes three times a week, depending on what type of training the coaches want to do,” Jeffers added.
The CARIFTA Squad:
Under-18 Females
• Georgia Spencer
• Reanda Richards
• Shanice Elliot
• Hanah Mills
• Namibia Clavier
• Amya Clarke
• Tywanna Robinson
• Kieshonna Brooks
Under-20 Females
• Kristal Liburd
• Ashika Williams
• Kamilah Tobin
Under-18 Male
• Tahj Liburd
• Wayne Matthew
• Aljani Bridgewater
• Demitre Browne
• Curvis Collins
• Jermaine Francis
• Cejae Farrell
• Dejorn Bernier
• Aziel Smithen
Under 20-Male
• Collin Archibald
• Nathaniel Huggins
• Kajon Parris
• Hakeem Huggins
• Alkronus Bridgewater
• Oneil Thomas
• Rasheed Eddy
• Akeem Chumney
• Ryan Phillip
• Warren Hazel
• Xavier Francis
• Shevene Boston
• Kivaun Isaac
• Darielle Warner
• Lejourne Crofford
• Raheim Mulraine
• Uzal Hodge
