By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 3, 2024 — The Ministry for Grand Bahama posted a collection of photos on Facebook accompanied by narrative congratulating Grand Bahama athletes who participated in the CARIFTA Swimming Championships held in Nassau and the 51st CARIFTA Games track and field events held in St. George’s, Grenada, on their return to Freeport today. I absolutely had to share some of them with readers of my Washington, D.C. – online publication, BAHAMAS CHRONICLE, which has a huge following among Bahamians in the diaspora across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom as well as in The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean.
In congratulating the athletes, the Ministry for Grand Bahama noted, “As our talented Grand Bahama athletes who returned today from the 2024 CARIFTA Games boarded their flight back home, The Minister for Grand Bahama, Hon. Ginger M. Moxey, M.P., was happy to see them off in Nassau. With beaming smiles and hearts filled with pride, the Minister greeted the team members, congratulating them on their remarkable achievements in the recent competitions.
The Ministry added, “As they landed back on Grand Bahama Island, the excitement only grew as government officials, families, and residents warmly welcomed them home, sharing in the joy of our national team’s success.
Meanwhile, Minister Moxey, who was in Nassau participating in a House of Assembly session, was at Lynden Pindling International Airport with the athletes before they boarded their flight to Freeport. She was quoted as saying, “These young athletes have showcased the true spirit of Grand Bahama and The Bahamas, and their dedication serves as an inspiration to us all.”
The Ministry urged Grand Bahamians to “Join us in a celebration of their victories, and congratulate these talented individuals who have represented OUR island and country with excellence.
BAHAMAS CHRONICLE EDITOR’S NOTE: For the sixth consecutive time, The Bahamas won the CARIFTA Swimming Championships held at the Betty Kelly-Kenning National Swim Complex in Nassau. At the end of the four days of competition, The Bahamas amassed 1,096.50 points to easily out-distance its nearest competitor, the Cayman Islands, with 660 points. Trinidad & Tobago finished third with 639 points.
In St. George’s, Grenada, where the 51st CARIFTA Games track and field events were held at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium, The Bahamas team also performed exceptionally well, finishing second behind Jamaica for the fifth straight time with 33 total medals, including nine gold, 13 silver, and 11 bronze.