Jamaica Gymnastics Association secures hosting rights for first-ever Carifta Gymnastics Event
Key Points(5)
- However, there has been no similar opportunity for gymnasts in the region until now.
- It showcases Jamaica's commitment to the sport and its ability to organize a major regional event.
- It also helps to promote gymnastics in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, inspiring more young athletes to take up the sport.
- Grant is eager to deliver another exceptional event, emphasizing the country’s capability to host high-level tournaments.
- She will begin in July with a camp for the team competing at the Carifta Gymnastics Championships, and Mladen Stefanov will be the Head Coach for the senior teams.
Nicole Grant, President of the Jamaica Gymnastics Association (JAGA), expressed her excitement and pride as Jamaica gears up to host the inaugural Carifta Gymnastics Championships.
This event, scheduled for November 29-30 at the National Indoor Sports Centre, marks a significant milestone for Jamaican gymnastics and reflects the sport’s growing prominence in the country.
Traditionally, the Carifta Games and Carifta Swimming Championships have provided platforms for young athletes to showcase their talents in athletics and aquatics. However, there has been no similar opportunity for gymnasts in the region until now. This gap prompted Grant and her colleagues to collaborate with the Pan American Gymnastics Union (PAGU) to establish the Carifta Gymnastics Championships.
“Hosting the inaugural Carifta Gymnastics Championships is a significant achievement for Jamaica Gymnastics. It showcases Jamaica's commitment to the sport and its ability to organize a major regional event. Carifta has been around for many years but gymnastics hasn’t been part of it due to the technicality of the sport,” Grant told SportsMax.TV.
Jamaica's growing presence in the gymnastics community
She added, “This event provides a platform for gymnasts in the Caribbean region to compete and showcase their talents. It also helps to promote gymnastics in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, inspiring more young athletes to take up the sport. Overall, hosting such a prestigious event is a great honor and a testament to Jamaica's growing presence in the gymnastics community.”
Jamaica was selected to host the championships following the successful staging of the Pan American Hopes tournament last year, which impressed PAGU. Grant is eager to deliver another exceptional event, emphasizing the country’s capability to host high-level tournaments. Jamaica edged out Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Bahamas, who were also in the running to host the tournament.
“Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Bahamas, Bermuda, and the Cayman Islands are already confirmed to participate, with each country expected to bring about 20-30 athletes at a minimum. While we await confirmation from other countries, our focus is on delivering a memorable first staging,” Grant shared.
In a move to bolster the technical expertise of Jamaican gymnastics, Grant announced the appointment of Olympian Toni-Ann Williams as Technical Director. Williams will work alongside her former coach, Mladen Stefanov, who will serve as the Head Coach for the senior male and female teams.
Two overseas training camps in Canada and China
“Toni-Ann will be working with us on a monthly basis. She will begin in July with a camp for the team competing at the Carifta Gymnastics Championships, and Mladen Stefanov will be the Head Coach for the senior teams. He was Toni-Ann’s coach throughout her years as a gymnast and has worked with us over the years, so we are pleased to have them both on our technical team,” Grant noted.
Before the championships, Jamaica’s athletes will participate in two overseas training camps in Canada and China to fine-tune their techniques and routines. The camp in China is part of a bilateral agreement between the ministries of sports of both countries, while the Canadian camp will provide a four-week intensive preparation for higher-level local gymnasts.
“The China camp is the final leg of the bilateral agreement between both ministries of sports. Our higher-level local gymnasts will have a four-week camp in Canada to also prepare for the tournament,” Grant concluded.
