Carifta Committee hopeful about inspection

Two inspectors will arrive in Jamaica on Thursday to ensure all is in place for the Carifta Games in April.

The Games' Technical Committee head Ian Forbes says although they are still awaiting word from North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) on the areas for inspection, he is confident they will meet the standard.

"We are waiting for some information from them in terms of what we will need to go through, which is a little tricky from that standpoint that we are not sure of what all the requirements will be.

"But by tomorrow we should have that information," Forbes told STAR Sports yesterday.

He said they have been addressing the various areas they believe the inspectors will be checking.

He anticipates they will be examining protocols for systems such as accommodation, transportation, and accreditation.

Matters concerning the welfare of participants, the competition's format, timetable, and the schedule of events will also be inspected, as well as the assignment of local and regional officials, broadcasting and media-related issues, and protocols for opening, closing, and presentation ceremonies.

Although the event will be the country's first regional track meet since the COVID-19 pandemic, Forbes said the committee is equipped to manage an event of this scale.

"We are prepared, we are qualified and we have experienced officials and persons who have been doing this for years," he said.

"We hosted the World Juniors, CAC (Central American and Caribbean Games), and Commonwealth Games. We hosted the Carifta Games at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay, and it was successful. So we are very confident that we have the personnel, the expertise and the necessary skills to execute a successful meet.

Organising Committee Chairman Mike Fennell said NACAC will provide human resource for assistance.

"Will be receiving between eight and 10 international technical officials who will be here to help with the actual running of the meet to ensure that we have full certification based on World Athletics rules," he said.

"We could run it with our officials, but this is a requirement from NACAC."

The Carifta Games take place at the National Stadium from April 16 to 18.