GRENADA TEAM TRIMMED TO 65 FOR HOME CARIFTA GAMES

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, March 25, 2026 – Grenada’s squad for the 53rd CARIFTA Games has been reduced to 65 athletes, following an updated release from the Grenada Athletics Association (GAA), just days after an initial 70-member team was announced.

The revised team now comprises 65 athletes supported by a 14-member management unit, as the country continues its preparations to host the region’s premier junior track and field championships at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium from April 4–6.

The GAA confirmed that five athletes have been removed from the original list in the Under-17 caregory. Those omitted are Kaiyanna Alexander (Classique Lighting Finishline/SJCSG), Temara Newton (St David’s Track Blazers/SDCSS), Kaya Swan (Classique Lighting Finishline), and Riyana Thomas (Peak Performance Track Club) from the Girls’ Under-17 category, along with Qwanell Pierre (South City Rising Stars/GBSS) from the Boys’ Under-20 division.

Alexander has since been elevated to the Girls’ Under-20 category.

No official explanation was provided for the changes. However, GrenadaSports understands that Pierre sustained an injury during the final event at the Inter-Secondary Schools’ Athletics Championships, which concluded last Thursday at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium.

The team, which still reflects a solid mix of youth and emerging talent, includes 23 female and 42 male athletes across the Under-17 and Under-20 categories.

Among the females, 14 athletes are expected to compete in the Under-17 division, with nine listed for the Under-20 category. On the male side, the team features 18 Under-17 athletes and a competitive Under-20 group, including three Jamaica-based athletes — Jurel Clement, Nicholas Frederick, and Shyiem Phillip.

Heading the management team is Wayne McSween, supported by a well-rounded staff that includes 10 coaches, a team manager and assistant, a physiotherapist, and a safeguarding officer.

With less than two weeks remaining before the Games, final preparations are intensifying.

GAA Public Relations Officer Kwame Hypolite confirmed that the athletes will enter a weekend camp as part of the final phase.

“The team is going to camp on Friday, where they will stay through the weekend up to Monday. After that, we’ll have a media session and officially introduce the team to the public,” Hypolite said during an interview on TalkSports.

After the camp, athletes will return home briefly before regrouping ahead of their move into the Games Village on Thursday.

Hypolite added that the camp will focus on more than just competition readiness.

“During that period, the athletes will be engaged with several stakeholders to help them develop in different areas. At the same time, our relay teams will be fine-tuning their exchanges, and our field event athletes will be working on improving their techniques,” he explained.

Grenada is set to host the CARIFTA Games for the fourth time, with both government and NACAC officials stressing the importance of delivering a world-class event.

Minister for Youth and Sports, Delma Thomas, has already signalled that the Games should serve as a platform for empowerment and unity, while also setting new benchmarks for governance and execution.