The Turks and Caicos Islands makes debut in the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla Colombia.
The Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC or CACGs) are a multi-sport regional championship event, held quadrennial (once every four years), typically in the middle (even) year between Summer Olympics. The Games are for countries in Central America, the Caribbean, as well as for Bermuda, Mexico, and the South American countries of Colombia, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.
The CACGs are the oldest continuing regional games in the world, and only the Olympics have run longer. The Games are overseen by the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organization (CACSO) They are designed to provide a step between sub-CACG-region Games held the first year following a Summer Olympics and the Continental Championships, the Pan American Games, held the year before the Summer Olympics.
Ms. Judith Robinson, then Acting Director for Sports, worked diligently for three years to secure CACSO approval for the Turks and Caicos Islands. This process included high level discussions with the British Olympic Associations as well as with senior CACSO officials. A small steering committee was established in 2013 to advance the agenda of Turks and Caicos Island’s eligibility in Olympic affiliated events. The TCI was able to qualify with Athletics, Football, Basketball, sailing, Rugby, Swimming, Cycling, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball. However only Athletics will be representing in the 2018 games in Barranquilla under the umbrella of the Local Commonwealth Games Association led by President Vanessa Moyce – Gardiner.
The Minister for Sports, Hon Edwin Astwood, Deputy Permanent Secretary Ms. Tamera Robinson and Director of Sports Mr. Jarrett Forbes is among the delegation to commemorate this grand achievement for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Godfrey Been and Kivano Handfield represented the Turks and Caicos Islands at the Opening Ceremony yesterday, July 19, 2018. Kivano carried the flag for TEAM TCI during the parade of countries. The games will be held from July 19th to August 03rd, with more than 5,000 athletes from 37 countries taking part. The rest of Team TCI will join Godfrey and Kivano during the course of next week.
Let us wish TEAM TCI all the best in these games.
Go Team TCI!
